Adapting classic novels into prestige miniseries is a strong global priority for Netflix. As East of Eden is set to be one of the fall’s highlights, Poland offers this modern, lush take on Bolesław Prus’s classic novel. But does it soar to the same heights as the
As it stands, The Doll offers a breathtaking reconstruction of 1878’s Warsaw, where the action is set; no expense was spared to make ballroom scenes and lushly decorated noble mansions as vivid as possible. Director Paweł Maślona offers a sense of scale and quiet command of the excess of the high society, contrasted with poorer servants, some of whom are actual fleshed-out characters in The Doll. Some period dramas may have little to offer beyond their meticulous craft and romantic getaways; we are happy to report The Doll is nothing of the sort, and is not content with being a picturesque travel in time.
That is because The Doll‘s main character, Izabela Łęcka (played with steely resolve by Sandra Drzymalska, previously seen a few years ago in the series Sexify), has character and ambitions that are about to be defeated by her environment and unforeseen circumstances. As she sees her friends and entourage being mistreated and belittled, even as professionals, she has been refusing to settle into marriage, pushing back on suitors to make plans for herself. Alas, her father Tomasz (Jacek Braciak) has bet a lot of money in a mysterious business affair while also being in a lot of debt; when that fails, Count Łęcki is in shambles, and so are Izabela’s plans to escape to Paris and write about her travels for a local (proto-) feminist magazine.
Their salvation (and/or doom) is coming in the form of ambitious entrepreneur Stanisław Wokulski (Tomasz Schuchardt), who comes back to Warsaw with a controversial reputation and seems determined to make a dent and climb the social ladder. He also soon sets his sights on conquering Izabela; the lengths to which he tries to achieve that are the foundation to build the dynamics of The Doll. But make no mistake: nothing about this very intentional, well-written adaptation is cookie-cutter.
Just like its title character, The Doll is barely interested in romantic encounters and is mostly about repressed feelings; if there is passion, it’s usually on one side only and it sometimes threatens to consume all. Izabela can play the bourgeoisie’s game like nobody else, and even is the only one to tell off her father with any sense of efficiency; nevertheless, she is constantly undermined and underrated by her environment. On the other hand, Wokulski is a very hands-on (some might say creepy) shadow in Tomasz’s affairs, but their eventual association will bring about more pain and disasters throughout the saga. Director Paweł Maślona does not hesitate to break the pace of some sequences through some surrealist, dreamy montages when relevant; but he does not let them dominate the show or resort to gimmicks. What unfolds is a slow unease and bitter commentary on social entrapments and the prisons some characters build for themselves; the characters are not the most sympathetic you will encounter in a Netflix series, but none of them are written or played like a typical anti-hero. The Doll clearly shows the limits of the high society Izabela evolves in, and the possible futures set for her, but never detracts from showing the raw intelligence and resolve of the main character. As money comes and goes and revelations derail Izabela and Stanisław’s dynamics, the saga earns its trust through gripping sequences and a mastery of tone. Immersive without being too complex, streamlined without talking down to the audience, The Doll meets and surpasses expectations on what a Netflix prestige drama should be like.
Watch The Doll If You Like
MVP of The Doll
Our “eyes” into the world of Izabela in the first few sequences, prostitute-turned-servant Marianna, with her knowing stares and deferential demeanor, is one of the most fleshed-out characters of the series, against all odds. Through
Verdict
A lush, plainly mesmerizing take on a power struggle and the ups and downs of a young lady’s eventual emancipation in 19th-century Poland, The Doll positions itself easily as one of the very best European offerings of the year for Netflix original series.
