Oscar and Lucinda

"Oscar and Lucinda" could be expected to be slightly off-center, given the quirkiness of its source material (Peter Carey's bittersweet novel) and the eccentric mixture of themes (love, religion and gambling addiction). But even warm performances from leads Ralph Fiennes and Cate Blanchett can't overcome the cold, off-putting direction of Gillian Armstrong ("The Piano") or the film's preposterous second act.

Fiennes stars as Oscar Hopkins, a young Anglican minister in 19th century England. Though Oscar is a firm believer in the existence of God, he also has a dark side — he is addicted to gambling, especially betting on horse races.

To gain some sort of redemption, he sails to Australia to become a missionary and immediately replaces the disgraced Rev. Dennis Hasset (Ciaran Hinds). However, temptation comes calling again, this time in the form of Lucinda Leplastrier (Blanchett), a young Australian heiress who also spends much of her time gambling.

Once two meet, they quickly indulge in their passion for wagering. They also share another sort of passion — romantic, though it goes unspoken.

Desperate to prove his love to Lucinda — who he believes is in love with the Rev. Hasset — Oscar agrees to spearhead a dangerous expedition to New South Wales and to present the good reverend with a glass church that Lucinda has made for him.

Similar in spirit (but not execution) to the quest in "Fitzcarraldo," the film's second half is messy and spoils the whole thing with a series of ludicrous plot twists, as well as violence and sex that are shocking in comparison to the restraint shown earlier in the movie.

As mentioned, both Fiennes and Blanchett are fascinating to watch, though their characters make decisions that seem, well, awfully out of character.

"Oscar and Lucinda" is rated R for violence, a surprisingly graphic simulated sex scene, nudity, some vulgar references and gags and some scattered profanities.