A Gentlemen in Moscow
Adapted from Amor Towles’s novel of the same name, A Gentlemen in Moscow sees Ewan McGregor star as the impressively moustached Russian aristocrat Alexander Rostov who, after returning to Moscow in the aftermath of the revolution, is sentenced to house arrest within the luxurious Metropol Hotel. With his status, wealth and possessions stripped, he spends his days befriending the staff, dining on complementary meals and striking up a romance with an aspiring actress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) who frequents the hotel. Although there’s a large degree of comfort to Rostov’s confinement, Stalin’s growing influence is felt within the hotel’s walls.
McGregor is magnificent in the starring role. Though hearing a Russian Count speak like Obi-wan Kenobi is somewhat distracting at first, this nitpick is quickly dispelled by the level of charm the actor oozes throughout the miniseries. Even under strict watch from Soviet soldiers, Rostov handles everything with an unflappable elegance and sharp wit. It’s impossible not to fall for McGregor’s charisma as he brings a sense of whimsy to the screen, turning the hotel into more of a playground than prison.
The star’s presence is only matched by that of Winstead. The pair may only share a handful of moments together during the first few episodes, but each actor plays brilliantly off the other (which may be partially helped by the pair being real-life spouses). Whether it’s flirtatious looks at a bar or sharing details about their backgrounds, the duo are outstanding. The supporting cast likewise do an exquisite job of bringing the supporting characters to life, with Johnny Harris being a notable highlight as Rostov’s imposing captor.
Despite the Metropol sometimes feeling like The Grand Budapest Hotel with its lovable characters and whimsical atmosphere, the series never lets viewers forget the oppressive tyranny that’s occurring outside. From distant cannon fire to scenes of soldiers forcibly removing people from the hotel, there’s a bluntness to the violence which disrupts Rostov’s isolated world, reminding him and viewers of the reality of the situation.
Except for a subplot surrounding Rostov’s past never being as interesting as the rest of the show, A Gentlemen in Moscow expertly strikes a balance between light-hearted love story and violent historical drama to deliver a slice of remarkable television. All of which is made better by a staggeringly good performance by McGregor in the central role.
Andrew Murray
A Gentlemen in Moscow is released on Paramount+ on 29th March 2024.
Watch the trailer for A Gentlemen in Moscow here:
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