I know this subject has been treated many times before, and is also depressing, but gawd, this version of the story is amazingly, well crafted! The directing, the pacing, and the acting were all perfect vehicles for the script. I really loved the magical surrealism in this context. In the second half, we begin to see all the pieces come together, like watching a masterpiece being finished in real time. The story is based on a book, which itself is based on a real event. So the film is a truth. Or maybe, it's a second-hand truth. Or maybe, it's fiction. Or maybe, . . . it's a fairy tale.