Jude Law has won emormous praise for his ‘Oscar-worthy’ depiction of Vladimir Putin in divisive movie The Wizard Of The Kremlin.
Much of his near four-decade career in the world of acting has been spent as the heart throb or ‘pretty boy’, however in recent years he has stuck his teeth into grittier roles such as a pock-marked, bloated Henry VIII in 2024’s Firebrand.
His career U-turn is what piqued the interest of critics of The Wizard Of The Kremlin, with the star winning resounding praise for his depiction of the Russian leader, in which he maintained his English accent.
The Independent’s Xan Brooks mused: ‘Jude Law deserved an Oscar this year for playing Vladimir Putin. [His] impersonation of Vladimir Putin is a little masterpiece in shades of grey, a stone-cold character study that transforms the film’s second half.’
While there has been divide across the board for the film, directed by Olivier Assayas, itself – with ratings ranging from two to five stars – praise for Jude’s performance is the one constant.
The Wizard Of The Kremlin has been adapted for the screen from author Giuliano da Empoli’s 2022 novel of the same name focuses on the rise of Putin’s authoritarian regime, told through the eyes of young artist-turned-TV producer Vadim Baranov.
Vadim is played by American actor Paul Dano, who has had less impact on critics, with his lead role being dampened by the power of Jude’s Putin.
Alongside a three-star rating, The Times’s Tom Shone particularly highlights the shocking decision to cast the plummy Londoner as the Russian leader.
He writes: ‘Jude Law as Vladimir Putin is one of those bonkers casting ideas that gets better the more you think about it…
‘There’s always been a hint of amorality to Law — think his playboy Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr Ripley, or his hitman in The Road To Perdition. He’s willing and able to smother his own charisma.’
Echoing many others, The Indepedent noted how Jude has distanced himself from his pretty boy sterotype, writing: ‘Law, who has always been a much finer actor than advance word would suggest.
‘Producers used to cast him as a poster boy, the cinematic equivalent of a shop window display. But he’s better now, in careworn middle-age, when he functions more as a linchpin or a discreet badge of quality.
‘First-billed or second, he ensures that a film comes home safe… He’s had a great last 10 years; an ongoing creative renaissance.’
With another two star rating, The Financial Times’s Danny Leigh writes: ‘Law says less, albeit with loud facial expressions. Might “the tsar” be angered by his portrait?.
‘Why? The film’s lack of interest in how a dictatorship actually treats its people means this Putin mostly appears as a common sense family man and friend to Russian troops.’
The Daily Mail’s Brian Viner proffered five stars for the movie and likened his role to his depitction of the Tudor in Firebrand. He writes: ‘Jude Law wasn’t always an obvious choice to play bellicose, blood-soaked tyrants.
‘But he made a convincing Henry VIII in the 2023 drama Firebrand and now, in the absorbing political thriller The Wizard Of The Kremlin, he stars as Vladimir Putin, less gouty than Henry, and less prone to executing wives, but no less monstrous.
‘It’s our introduction to Putin, nicely played by Law, with his south London vowels intact.’
Alongside a three star rating, The Metro’s Tori Brazier writes: ‘The Wizard of the Kremlin presents the curious offering of Jude Law as Vladimir Putin, an unlikely casting for anyone – least of all the charming leading man in Alfie and The Holiday.
‘But while this film from French director Olivier Assayas, which premiered last year at Venice Film Festival, stumbles a few times, Law puts in an assured, somewhat uncanny performance.
‘It’s fitting for an actor who, freed from being considered merely a heartthrob, can continue one of the most promising eras of his career and sink his teeth into character roles.’
The Wizard Of The Kremklin was released last week after previously premiering at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and had a theatrical release in France in January.
