Stream On: A whimsical ‘Gentleman in Moscow’
Count Alexander Rostov finds himself going from riches to rags following the Russian revolution—in a luxury hotel.
Author Amor Towles was born into money in Boston, and stayed there (in money, not Boston). Deep calls to deep: when Master Towles was ten, he threw a bottle with a message into the Atlantic, which was answered by a letter from the managing editor of The New York Times. Towles and he corresponded for many years afterwards, don’t you know. Towles’ second novel has been made into a miniseries about Russian royalty sentenced by the Bolsheviks to live in a luxury hotel.
/Streaming /Amazon Prime /😎92%😌80% /Trailer /2004 /TVMA
The first episode introduces us to a world of elegance and intrigue persisting in post-revolutionary Russia. The series is a period drama that revolves around Count Alexander Rostov (Ewan McGregor, Fargo, season two), a distinguished but blithe aristocrat who faces a dramatic shift in his life circumstances.
The series begins in 1922 with Rostov’s arrest. He is a man of refined tastes, accustomed to the privileges of his aristocratic position (“It is not the business of gentlemen to have occupations”), but his life takes a turn when he is sentenced to house arrest by the Bolsheviks. The authorities decide that he must be confined to the Metropol Hotel, an opulent establishment in Moscow, rather than being sent to a labor camp, as a mark of the new regime's desire to isolate but not entirely obliterate the old order.
As Rostov settles into his “incarceration,” viewers are treated to the lavish interior of the Metropol, which becomes a central character in the series. The hotel's grandeur and the staff’s interactions with Rostov highlight the contrast between his past life and his reduced circumstances. We are given glimpses into the other remaining hotel residents and employees, from the ambitious and stern hotel manager (Rob Jarvis, Luther) to the charming and resourceful staff, all of whom are navigating in their own ways the complexities of Russian society during this period of transformation.
Despite his confinement, Rostov remains drolly dignified and composed. He engages with the people around him, showing wit, wisdom, and his own ability to navigate the shifting political landscape. He forms relationships with various hotel staff members and guests, including a young girl named Sofia, who is to become a significant figure in his life. Rostov becomes her mentor and protector, demonstrating a strong sense of honor and kindness.
The show hints at the larger political and social upheavals occurring outside the hotel's walls, emphasizing the ways in which the Count must adapt to new realities while maintaining his core values and sense of self.
The first episode of A Gentleman in Moscow establishes the series' tone and setting, a rich visual and emotional experience. It introduces the audience to a world of high society and political intrigue while visiting themes of confinement, resilience, and the pursuit of personal dignity in the face of adversity. (“Write what you know”: Towles’ inspiration for the original novel was his experience staying at luxury hotels, specifically a hotel in Geneva, Switzerland, where some of the guests were permanent residents. He combined the idea of luxury hotels with his knowledge of Russia's long-time historical tradition of house arrest.)
The first episode, “A Master of Circumstance,” sets the stage for Rostov’s journey of self-discovery and adaptation within the confines of his luxurious prison. It bodes well for the rest of the series; a notion of mine (which I probably picked up from Alfred Hitchcock) is that if the setting of a story is pleasant, then it will be all the easier to sell.
Sources include NPR; The Charlotte Observer; Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED).
Pete Hummers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to earn fees by linking Amazon.com and affiliate sites. This adds nothing to Amazon's prices. This column originally appeared on The Outer Banks Voice.