Incredibly moving, well told tale. Robert Duvall takes the viewer into the vast depths of a man's heart and tragically into the dark night of the soul. This Shakespearean-like Tragedy brings the viewer to cathartic release and lingers with the viewer long after the final credits.
The precise acting, the black&white cinematography, the gut-wrenching emotions combine to give the right viewer an extraordinary film experience. The "right" viewer = Someone who has ever loved without reservation, a hero of the heart.
For the wrong viewer: slow, maybe pointless and yes, maybe an inaccurate rendition of the original short story. However, what some may see as flaws, are carefully crafted intentions to dramatize/present on film difficult-to-describe, complex emotions and relationships.
