The Wizard of the Kremlin review: Jude Law plays Vladimir Putin in fascinating portrait

The movie is directed by Assayas, a French filmmaker known for his work like Carlos (2010), where he masterfully portrayed Carlos the Jackal and his impact on global politics. Similarly, in this production, he demonstrates a keen understanding of political events that significantly influence our world.

The screenplay, tailored by Assayas and Emmanuel Carrère, is derived from the 2022 novel of Giuliano da Empoli, which intricately blended elements of fiction and real-life events.

In this fictional portrayal, Dano’s character, Baranov, transitions from avant-garde theater, to a TV producer, and eventually, a political kingmaker – drawn from the real-life figure of Vladislav Surkov. The film starts with a warning that events are dramatized for “artistic purposes”, yet it seems to closely mirror reality. In this narrative, Baranov represents the unseen power broker, manipulating matters on behalf of “the Tsar”, a term used here as an alias for Putin.

In this rendition, the storyteller is a journalist (Jeffrey Wright) who receives an invitation to visit Baranov, who appears to have lost his power but resides comfortably in a luxury home and takes delight in escorting his little girl to school every morning. As he talks, he reminisces about his past, peddling cassette players and televisions during the 1990s, a time when Russia was brimming with optimism following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In this transformative period, Baranov encounters artists and free-thinkers, among them the enigmatic Ksenia, portrayed by Alicia Vikander, whom he develops a relationship. Subsequently, Dmitri Sidorov, his former schoolmate who has since amassed considerable wealth, takes a liking to her. However, Baranov’s life takes an unexpected turn as he gains power through television and, via friendship with the businessman Berezovsky, enters the political arena.

In the twilight of Boris Yeltsin’s reign, I found myself amongst those backing Vladimir Putin as a civil servant. Despite speculations about my potential Nobel Peace Prize aspirations, I, Putin, made it clear that my primary goal was to revitalize and strengthen the Russian Federation’s integrity, not seek recognition. To achieve this, I relied on individuals like Baranov who facilitated the Russian electorate’s acceptance of my authoritative rule – be it through strategic internet manipulation or mobilizing radical biker groups such as the Night Wolves to create unrest in Ukraine.

Assayas’s movie spans various topics, yet it does so with an engaging, lively punk-rock vibe that keeps you engaged. The portrayal of Putin captivates, showcasing him water-skiing at Sochi, the summer retreat for Russian leaders, despite Law perhaps not being the ideal choice to play the role. However, a cold ruthlessness in his eyes is palpable, particularly when he disregards the predicament of the trapped Russian sailors aboard the sunken Kursk nuclear submarine.

In a departure towards fictional elements, the conclusion seems fittingly appropriate given the grim reality of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Assayas and his crew have crafted a powerful, unforgettable depiction of modern Russia, often referred to as a vast prison. This portrait, arguably, could only be created by an outsider’s perspective.