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The film could have used a good editor. It is at least 45 minutes too long, with lots of repetition of dialogue and scenes from earlier in the film, which renders the last part quite tedious. Also, the massacre of the Jews by the Nazis at Babi Yar seems to be laid directly at Stalin's feet, which is historically incorrect and therefore confusing. Also, as another reviewer has pointed out, some previous knowledge of Shostakovich's conflicts with the regime of Joseph Stalin will help in following the story line, which is sometimes unclear.

This film moves at a painfully slow pace, with the same, monotonous theme music playing over and over in the background until you want to scream. There is no real chemistry between the actors who are supposed to be deeply in love. She chases after him, clings to him, pines for him, he goes, he returns, he goes, returns, and on and on and on. Finally, you just want the movie to be over. By the end, I felt that I had just wasted two hours of my life.