I hadn't read the book and I understand that those that have love to crow at how much better it is - but was it ever thus. I have however watched every episode. Initially (knowing nothing of its pedigree) I skipped it on cursory glance, but after a friend who had read the book urged me to watch it, I decided to give it a go. Oh boy. I instantly fell in love with it.
Filmed almost entirely in one large set you could be mistaken for thinking it's a stage adaptation, but the claustrophobia simply reflects the plight of the titular character, condemned to live under house arrest in poverty whilst observing the last vestiges of Moscow opulence around him. In many ways this is why I fell in love with the production. Instead of blowing millions on location shooting and expensive CGI, the show focuses instead on the characters who intertwine and flow gracefully through the story.
These characters are so beautifully observed by both the writer and the cast that you become deeply invested in their stories and ultimately their plights.
McGregor has risen to new heights for me. I always thought positively of him but as a character actor, the natural evolution of all actors as they approach middle-age, he does a magnificent job of bringing Alex alive. The gradual growth of the character through the ages in terms of his emotional development and his reaction to the affection from all around, is a dream to watch.
I know there have been some comments about the choice of ethnicity for some of the characters at a time and place where it would not have been commonplace and as a stickler for historical accuracy I understand that. But, ultimately the choice works well in reflecting the backgrounds of those characters and only adds to the richness of the tapestry.
A Gentleman in Moscow is a must watch if you harken for a time when a great story was allowed to breathe and develop and those involved believed passionately in the work beyond simply a means to a pay cheque.
Filmed almost entirely in one large set you could be mistaken for thinking it's a stage adaptation, but the claustrophobia simply reflects the plight of the titular character, condemned to live under house arrest in poverty whilst observing the last vestiges of Moscow opulence around him. In many ways this is why I fell in love with the production. Instead of blowing millions on location shooting and expensive CGI, the show focuses instead on the characters who intertwine and flow gracefully through the story.
These characters are so beautifully observed by both the writer and the cast that you become deeply invested in their stories and ultimately their plights.
McGregor has risen to new heights for me. I always thought positively of him but as a character actor, the natural evolution of all actors as they approach middle-age, he does a magnificent job of bringing Alex alive. The gradual growth of the character through the ages in terms of his emotional development and his reaction to the affection from all around, is a dream to watch.
I know there have been some comments about the choice of ethnicity for some of the characters at a time and place where it would not have been commonplace and as a stickler for historical accuracy I understand that. But, ultimately the choice works well in reflecting the backgrounds of those characters and only adds to the richness of the tapestry.
A Gentleman in Moscow is a must watch if you harken for a time when a great story was allowed to breathe and develop and those involved believed passionately in the work beyond simply a means to a pay cheque.