I agree with most of the negative reviews of this film. It obviously is reaching for awards: the cinematography is amazing -- too amazing, perhaps, since it distracts from the narrative flow. The same can be said about the acting: you watch admiringly as Benedict Cumberbatch does his turn or Kirsten Dunst plays the alcoholic. Do we believe their characters? I didn't.
But mostly what I hated about the movie is that it is a typical Jane Campion production. I've seen at least two others: "The Piano," and "Bright Star." All feature naked unattractive men, fainting women, hostile landscapes and, of course, pianos. Enough, already!