A well-meaning but lumbering drama that commingles doomed romance, ancestral mystery and wartime horror, Twice Born is the type of cinematic slog that one watches and thinks to themselves, “This would actually be much more interesting as a book.” And that makes sense, really, because that is its original medium.

Adapted by Margaret Mazzantini from her own novel of the same name, director Sergio Castellitto’s film — in English, but with liberal sprinkles of Italian and Serbian to bolster its authenticity — unfolds against the backdrop of the 1992 siege of Sarajevo, and forward-reaching consequences of the same. While not without some nice moments from stars Penelope Cruz and Emile Hirsch, and a third-act twist that is affecting if also not entirely well set up, Twice Born suffers from poor characterizations, curious plotting and other assorted editorial missteps. For the full, original review, from Paste, click here. (E One Entertainment, R, 129 minutes)