“Only in Russia is poetry respected—it gets people killed.” —Osip Mandelstam, Russian poet of the 1930s
Drawn from the 2016 bestselling novel by Amor Towles and now streaming on several services, A Gentleman in Moscow is a triumph in presentation for its scenery, its casting, and a highly unusual story that will satisfy a wide range of viewers.
Front and center is Russian aristocrat Count Alexander Rostov, masterfully portrayed by Ewan McGregor. Rostov is a man of privilege who has devoted his life to reading books, socializing, and traveling. McGregor absorbs the life of this refined character through all ten episodes and makes him absolutely real.
Here’s the setup. In 1917, Russia’s social structure explodes when the ruthless czar is overthrown by the ruthless Stalin and his merry band of Bolsheviks. After the new regime burns down Rostov’s house, Rostov moves into a luxury suite in the spectacular Hotel Metropol, inspired by the real Metropol, built in 1905 in Moscow’s Theatre Square. The hotel’s interior provides luscious scenery that is reason enough to watch the series. More on this later.
In 1922, the Bolshevik tribunal interrogates Rostov about an original poem attributed to him. Its honest message, “Where is our purpose now?” is considered rebellious, and therefore punishable. Rostov is sentenced to life in confinement, but not in prison, thanks to the flexibility of fiction, and perhaps a sense of comic relief on the part of the novel’s author. Instead, he’ll remain in the Metropol, which now belongs to the new regime. But he’s strictly forbidden to exit the building, and he has no claim to his hotel suite or his belongings. Rostov is ushered upstairs, high in the hotel attic, to an austere little room with one narrow bed. Welcome to his new home. An unthinkable humiliation for a gentleman who thrived on his five-star freedom.
This unpredictable series spans decades of changes within the country, within the hotel, and for Rostov. And in a fictional tale, the details have flexibility. The dialogue is (conveniently) spoken in English—British English, rather than Russian. And the casting includes Black characters, some wearing dreadlocks. This choice honors diversity, which works well for more generic stories. But with all due respect . . . when a drama is situated during a historic era in a particular foreign country, the casting choices will either reinforce the setting or create confusion, and could weaken the story’s credibility. You be the judge.
The wide spectrum of characters fuels the story. Rostov (McGregor) is a wise, articulate, and well-read gentleman. A natural socialite, he enjoys companionship as much as he savors his solitude. He also has patience with children, who play a role in the series. He speaks to them respectfully, like young adults, with genuine interest that is never wasted on them. These young relationships find their way into Rostov’s life.
In his early days of confinement, Rostov is instantly attracted to a lovely celebrity guest named Anna (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) who frequents the hotel and bar. Their developing relationship melts Rostov’s heart and eases the pain of imprisonment. Anna is a complex character who, as a rising celebrity, appears superficial. But the passing years make her stronger, wiser, more generous, and guided by her heart. And FYI, McGregor and Winstead, who have partnered in series such as Fargo and Birds of Prey, are real-life husband and wife.
Most notable among the many supporting characters is the Russian officer who monitors Rostov, Osip Glebnikov, portrayed by a very convincing Johnny Harris. Glebnikov’s visits are frequent and unannounced. He appears out of nowhere, always bearing harsh tidings and reminding Rostov of the fatal consequences if he disobeys any rules. We hold our breath every time this man appears. And yet, over time, Glebnikov becomes one of the series’ most faceted characters.
Holding all the characters together in this indoor adventure is the Hotel Metropol. The real Hotel Metropol is in Moscow. But since the filming location was rooted in the UK, Space Studios in Manchester, England, created their own superb version to capture the original. And while we, the viewers, never leave the building, we never tire of its artistry, dignity, and lush décor.
Historically, Moscow’s Hotel Metropol was the city’s first hotel to offer hot water and telephones in the rooms to accompany its five-star service, international cuisine, the American bar with fine wines, and its luxury rooms and suites.
Over the decades, the toll of war has caused damage to the building and shattered almost every glass window. But thanks to its sturdy construction, the Metropol remains, approaching the ripe young age of 120. The hotel’s website is poised to take reservations and receive payments in many denominations. If you’re yearning to tour the building in person, don’t. The charms of Russian culture are best appreciated in the comfort of your own home, through photos and literature, from a long, safe distance.