With The Wizard of the Kremlin, writer-director Olivier Assayas has created a deeply complex political drama that intentionally resonates with contemporary times. A dense and fascinating peek behind the iron curtain that follows Paul Dano as he inhabits Vadim Baranov. An adviser, manipulator, and lobbyist that rose to power in the ‘90s steering those with influence into political positions.
Capturing the decadence of a Russia under Boris Yeltsin, American academic Rowland, played with a splash of understated academia by Jeffrey Wright, serves as the eyes and ears of audiences in those opening minutes. For a film dominated by voiceover, initially from Wright and later by Dano’s Baranov, The Wizard of the Kremlin remains surprisingly accessible throughout. Neither dumbing down the political undercurrent or forgetting crucial character progression.
This may be a work of fiction written by Giuliano Da Empoli, but there is a distinctive tone that rarely makes it feel like an adaptation. A stylistic tour de force that gives cold war thriller vibes without the inevitable John le Carre overtones. Less Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and more a character-driven piece that just happens to have political players, The Wizard of the Kremlin will grow on audiences.
Image Courtesy of Signature Entertainment
Once they get past the fact that authenticity has been slightly compromised by having Western actors play high level Russian politicians, The Wizard of the Kremlin runs with it. There might be a few shaky moments when Jude Law first appears on screen as President in-waiting Vladimir Putin, but beyond that, this film rarely drops the ball.
Despite the fact Alicia Vikander has little more than a minor role and Paul Dano has made a brave choice using that accent, there is still a lot to like here. As an intriguing cinematic screengrab of a pivotal moment in Russian political history, The Wizard of the Kremlin really works. By dividing his film up into historical time periods, each conveying crucial elements in the evolution of modern-day Russia, Olivier Assayas does something simple yet effective.
Not only depicting a thematic shift within the film that illustrates an evolution for these characters but utilising superior production design which immerses them in the period. These factors counteract the pacing that tends to keep things pedestrian, despite the best efforts of this ensemble cast. Although there are some solid performances among them, Jeffrey Wright walks away with the plaudits on this occasion.
Jude Law feels out of place in the role of Putin, while Paul Dano somehow lacks the authority a master manipulator should possess. Leaving Wright to walk away with this film in a minor role that carries as much gravitas as any of his contemporaries further up the food chain. Leaving The Wizard of the Kremlin in no man’s land when it comes to a cinematic identity, sitting somewhere between a sophisticated thriller and a complex character study of those in political power.
The Wizard of the Kremlin is in UK and Irish cinemas from April 17th.