As a cultural cornerstone studied in school by generations of Poles, a modern take on The Doll – or ‘Lalka’ in Polish – was always bound to provoke strong reactions. A keenly awaited modern interpretation of The Doll (‘Lalka’), Bolesław Prus’s classic tale of unrequited love across class barriers in partition-era Warsaw, has divided critics and stoked widespread public debate ahead of its release on Wednesday. The much-anticipated Netflix adaptation, regarded as one of the biggest Polish cultural releases of the year, is directed by Paweł Maślona and stars Tomasz Schuchardt and Sandra Drzymalska. Filming of the six-part mini-series in Warsaw last year created not only a talking point but also drew visitors keen to see a life-sized mock-up of a shop central to the plot. The Doll tells the story of an ambitious and wealthy self-made merchant, Stanisław Wokulski, who becomes besotted with a beautiful aristocrat, Izabela Łęcka. The backdrop to the story is the social divisions in late-19th century Warsaw and the themes of social mobility and capitalism in the Polish capital, which was under Russian control at the time. The novel, first published in 1890, is considered a Polish classic and has been a compulsory text in schools for generations. Its global release on the major streaming platform is set to make the timeless story accessible to international audiences. However, early reviewers have said the latest adaptation, which diverges significantly from the original, may raise hackles at home. Passionate – but unfaithful? Newsweek Polska described the series as compelling and full of passion, but argued that its creators have taken liberties with Prus's work. Serialowa, a Polish website devoted to TV series, warned readers that the Netflix version will divide audiences, while praising its creators for challenging expectations. The Interia news and entertainment site went further, describing the remake as “new, bold and captivating" and lauding the performances, production design and music. Others were less enthusiastic. Digital media outlet Spider’s Web described the new production as “not Prus.” “The viewer will quickly realize that Netflix’s ‘The Doll’ is trying to tell its own story,” the site wrote, adding that “it differs from what the trailers might suggest.” Spider’s Web nonetheless concluded that the series is well made, despite its additional plot twists and altered characterizations, and makes good viewing. The Onet news site predicted the series will spark fierce debate as it sometimes loses sight of Prus’s central themes in its efforts to be “modern, ironic, and critical of the original.” While the new adaptation appears likely to displease some viewers, those wanting a more traditional take on the story have plenty of alternatives to choose from: multiple TV and film versions have been released over the decades since the novel came out.
