The latest campus drama 'Vladimir' on Netflix, starring Rachel Weisz, fails to ignite despite its talented cast. The series is an unflattering look at academia, but its cheap shots are predictable and cartoonish. Weisz's character, M, is uncomfortable and self-absorbed, making it difficult for her to convey the humor in the story. The series' portrayal of faculty members and students is also unflattering, with the educators being spineless and the students being privileged twits.
The story revolves around M's affair with a new faculty member, Vladimir, and her husband's infidelity. However, the power dynamic issue is not well-articulated, and the alleged problem is not clearly defined. The series also begs comparison to other comedies like 'The Chair' and 'Fleabag', but it falls short in terms of humor and character development.
John Slattery shines as the serial philanderer husband, but even his performance cannot save the series from its predictable and depressing storyline. The series is a disappointing watch, and viewers will likely find themselves asking, 'Are we there yet?'
