ADAPTED from Alexander Pushkin's classic verse novel, Martha Fiennes' Onegin is vivid and expansive, a film with epic written all over it. It is the tragic tale of the unfilled love between Yvgeny Onegin (Ralph Fiennes) and Tatyana Larin (Liv Tyler). The star-crossed pair are destined to meet, but not to be together, for when Onegin realises his love for Tatyana, she is married to Prince Nikitin (Martin Donovan).

Ralph Fiennes did extensive research for the film, and is very good as the man who discovers too late that he has a heart. The supporting cast is strong, comprising reliable English actors Toby Stephens, Lena Headey, Harriet Walter and Alun Armstrong. Liv Tyler, though capable, lacks the maturity and experience to carry off a role as demanding as Tatyana.

Martha Fiennes spent five years developing the film, with the help of brothers Ralph and Magnus, the film's composer. Fiennes shows that she is, like her brothers, a talented player in the film world. The film is at times too arty, especially at the start, but it's an impressive effort considering that this is Martha Fienes' first film. Onegin has no major faults, yet lacks the emotional depth and power to make it anything more than good.