An addictive character-rich six-hour murder-mystery directed by Steven Soderbergh (“The Knick,” “Behind The Candelabra,” “Logan Lucky”) from teleplays by screenwriter Ed Soloman (“Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” “Men In Black,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Now You See Me”), “Mosaic” is a twisty crime drama set on and around the chilly ski-slopes of Park City, Utah.
Its sprawling cast includes Paul Reubens (“Pee-wee’s Big Holiday”), Loudon Wainwright (“Knocked Up”), Sharon Stone (“The Disaster Artist”), Beau Bridges (“The Mountain Between Us”), Maya Kazan (“The Knick”), Frederick Weller (“In Plain Sight,” “The Knick”), Garrett Hedlund (“Mudbound”), Jennifer Ferrin (“The Knick”), Michael Cerveris (“Fringe,” “Gotham”), Allison Tolman (“Downward Dog”), Bridey Elliott (“Silicon Valley”), James Ransone (Ziggy on “The Wire”), and Devin Ratray (Tinfoil Kevin on “The Tick”).
My understanding is “Mosaic” began life as an app. I’ve never dealt with that, but the series certainly inspires me to check that app out. The project’s origins as a smartphone entertainment may have something to do with the miniseries’ beguiling unpredictability.
... The series starts a bit too slow. Stone is always a treat, but the pace and plotting are more gripping after Olivia's murder. Petra's appearance gives the series a healthy jolt of energy a few episodes in and Ferrin (Hell on Wheels) is quite appealing in the role. Her one-woman crusade is the most fascinating and engaging part of the series, which suffers when she's offscreen. …
... The writing, from Ed Solomon (Now You See Me, Charlie's Angels, Men in Black), is serviceable though not subtle (nor does a good mystery need to be). Soderbergh's direction is naturally top-notch and he gets universally excellent performances out of everyone, save for the moments that are just the tiniest bit overwrought or rushed, again probably because that served the app more effectively. …
... The good news is that, after a somewhat bumpy start, the drama gains momentum over time, especially when Petra Neill (Jennifer Ferrin) turns up to ask residents and local cops the kinds of awkward questions they’d rather not answer. As the mystery gets juicier and the implications for the town’s elite become more serious, Garrett Hedlund’s hapless handyman character becomes believably frayed, and the proceedings are further enlivened by excellent supporting performances from Beau Bridges, Allison Tolman, Jeremy Bobb and Maya Kazan.…
8 p.m. Monday-Friday. HBO.
