The film didn't catch my interest earlier on but during its entirety one starts to appreciate the characters and the cinematography as well.  I was particularly drawn to the main character who also directed and wrote this movie, Vasily Shukshin.  I learned that he died young but was a prolific short story writer who tried to test the waters by trying out acting as well as directing.  In the book by John Givens it was indicated that V. Shukshin's topics were mostly about Siberian life and about transition as well as about missed opportunities and conflicts, among others.  He was highly regarded in his field of expertise, especially as a writer, for the hominess and the warm emotional energy it evoked on the readers and ultimately the movie goers.  It's a pity he passed away at a young age as he could've contributed much to Russian cinema and literature in particular.