A rare, dislikable Chekhov protagonist

Just a few words on Anton Chekhov's "Lady with a Little Dog" - definitely one of his most famous stories, and deservedly. I think this story inspired a movie - which (other than movies based on his play) is a rarity for Chekhov, as his stories tend to be very subtle and internal, not filled with action or dramatic conflict between characters, the staple of movies I guess. Lady with a Lapdog (I think that's the movie title) is no doubt an art-house, indie type of film, not a blockbuster - but I can see, from the first half of the story, why it would be suitable for film: It's about a doomed and failed relationship, kind of like Brief Encounter, though not brief - the story covers a span of time. It's also notable that the male protagonist, Gorov (?), is an atypical Chekhov "hero" - almost all of his protagonists are flawed but ultimately likable and sympathetic, and that tension between the obvious moral, intellectual, or ethical shortcomings of the characters and our generally compassionate feelings toward them is what gives Chekhov's work part of its edge and part of its enduring charm. Gorov, however, is not really likable at all: narcissistic, irresponsible, cruel. In first half of story, he eagerly preys on a naive, vulnerable, lonely, much younger woman - whom he doesn't (at first) appear to care about at all - she's just another of his many conquests, and another barb to hurl at his unloved wife. But as I recall from reading story years ago - and as any reader can most likely predict - he'll get his, as he ends up caring much more about the eponymous lady than he'd ever thought he would - she leaves the seaside resort and returns to her home (in Moscow?), and ultimately he will e drawn to her. Will he learn and grow? Or only suffer?