The Wizard of the Kremlin: A Disappointing Docudrama
The Wizard of the Kremlin, directed by Olivier Assayas, is a disappointing docudrama that fails to capture the intrigue and complexity of its subject matter. The film follows Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano), a former close advisor to Vladimir Putin (Jude Law), as he navigates the political landscape of Russia. While the premise is intriguing, the execution leaves much to be desired.
One of the biggest issues with The Wizard of the Kremlin is its episodic structure. The film jumps around from the mid-1990s to 2019, making it difficult to follow the narrative. The fact that it's cut into chapters, which seem almost arbitrarily assigned, doesn't help either. This makes the 157-minute running time feel even longer and more tedious.
That's a shame, because there's a lot to like about the film. Paul Dano is excellent as Vadim Baranov, affecting a soft-spoken, almost British accent to blend in with the other actors playing Russians. Jude Law is also excellent as Vladimir Putin, portraying him as a man who comes to relish the power he acquires, but also one easily offended by even the slightest lack of deference. However, the rushed, episodic format makes it difficult to fully appreciate these performances.
The film is also let down by its lack of depth. While it touches on important events such as the sinking of the Kursk, the Sochi Olympics, and the Orange Revolution, it fails to explore them in any meaningful way. The film is more interested in showing the rise and fall of Vadim Baranov than it is in providing any insight into the political landscape of Russia.
In my opinion, The Wizard of the Kremlin would have been better served as a prestige limited series that could have taken its time rather than rushing through important episodes. This would have allowed the film to explore the events in more depth and provide a more nuanced portrayal of the characters. As it stands, the film is a disappointment that fails to capture the intrigue and complexity of its subject matter.
Personally, I think that the film's episodic structure and lack of depth are its biggest flaws. The film is interesting at times, but it never quite manages to capture the essence of the political landscape of Russia. If you're looking for a film that provides insight into the political landscape of Russia, I would recommend looking elsewhere.
