IR TV Review: VLADIMIR [Netflix]
The thrust of "Vladimir", a new series starring Rachel Weisz on Netflix, is more of an internal monologue on the notion of desire and inspiration. While a little soapy and flittery at its core, its use of fourth wall breaking with Weisz's unnamed character is beautifully brilliant. Weisz has a knack for the subtle and the obvious when integrating these moments. As the series goes on (it is only 8 half hour episodes), it only takes a small look and a wink for her to move the story. The whole basis of the series revolves around Weisz, who is a professor of writing at a small elite college. She is married to another professor who was head of the department but, because they have an open marriage per se, he slept around (consensually) with students that later came to see their decision to have an affair as against their wishes. Many later brought complaints which threatens his pension as he is about to retire.
John Slattery (formerly of "Mad Men") plays Weisz’s husband John. Slattery plays John with a flippancy but also a subtle love and humor that makes it possible to see his faults but also his strengths and reasoning. M's reasoning is less so but she says that her decisions were of a different time but in relating that to some of her students (which she eventually has to do), it is an interesting tightrope. Enter Vladimir, a young, handsome and brilliant new professor played by Leo Woodall. Woodall is coming up in the acting scene (he was quite good in the TIFF drama "Tuner" with Dustin Hoffman). Here he plays more of a romantic lead/thirst trap (which is likely good for his acting resume, especially working off someone like Rachel Weisz). Jessica Henwick, who has been doing alot of genre films lately, gets more of a thankless job as Woodall's wife who is suffering from some different ailments.
The situations of high school like coyness with a bit of blackmail and middle aged nostalgia plays well though Weisz's daydreams seem a little too girlish for a woman (but who knows). The key is the context of both personalities, universities and academia and how they fit together. Weisz has done mostly darker material since her breakout in "The Mummy". While those did garner her an Oscar, it is nice to see her playing a little more of her black comedy/romantic chops because it definitely does suit her. Ellen Robertson as John and Weisz daughter/lawyer Sid always gives an unique spin but keeps it a little more real in the mix. "Vladimir" concludes with a little too much melodrama that doesn't feel grounded in reality (though the rest of the series does operate on a heightened play level to be fair). That said, the series is entertaining but mostly for Weisz's gleefully fun performance. B
By Tim Wassberg
