Mosaic

A crime drama about a missing woman and the detectives, family members, and friends involved. It sounds familiar, I know, and maybe the unique feature (watching from different perspectives) doesn't sound worthwhile, I understand. But this plays out like no other crime drama I have seen recently, perhaps ever, and it is the best show I've seen in a good while.

First off, it's Steven Soderbergh producing & directing. In addition to the many great movies under his belt, he also created a fantastic, unique 2-season TV show called The Knick. So the camera work, photography, lighting, and editing are all outstanding.

Second, Mosaic runs like a great 6-hour play, but utilizes true detective S1 style time jumps. Virtually the entire show is dialogue. This only works with great actors & a great script, and this show has both. The characters are as 3-dimensional as they can get.

I would say more, but hesitate as I don't want to even trends towards a spoiler. Mosaic stood out from everything else on TV these days, and if you appreciate 'good' shows, do not miss this one.

Note: This review was originally written by reddit user Mr_Ree416. But he spoke my mind.

At first the camera work and editing can seem underwhelming. It felt strangely 'distanced', or observing, compared to what one has come to expect from today's fiction. But, given time, the show grew on me with its intriguing, though slightly confusing story line, and its interesting characters. But it will not be everyones cup of tea. Not all hints, plot elements and dialogue seem to go somewhere. Emphasis on characters change unexpectedly, as do perspectives and general direction. The style of the series feels a bit like observing events around you in real life where things are not easily interpreted, but none the less interesting enough for you to keep looking. For me, this style gave the show a touch of realism that made it enjoyable, even refreshing. Like its titular object, the series is a mosaic of sorts with odd fragments beginning to come together as you watch the story unfold.

This is an interesting piece of work, it is more European than American in its structure and pace. It is not so much a who did it as an interesting journey into a world of which I have never experienced. So don't binge watch, savour the characters, admire, dislike, understand their motives and you will see this for what it is- a study in human behaviour.

Sharon Stone delivers a fine performance as does the rest of the cast.

So far I am sadly not impressed, as the trailer made it seem really good. About the murder of a celebrated children's book writer and the subsequent investigation and fallout for the people that surrounded her. But this first episode did not intrigue me and I don't really feel like watching the rest of the series, like I so often do with the majority of HBO shows. Something about this first episode just really seemed underwhelming, with way too much seemingly meaningless conversations. It didn't grab my attention by the throat like Westworld, Game of Thrones, and many others, so I must sadly say I am disappointing.

I had no problem with the acting, most every actor did a fine job and I have no real issues. But the writing was just boring, to me at least. I found myself uninterested in what the characters had to say and often wanted the conversation to end. The cinematography is very average and the visuals were pretty bland, shocking coming from HBO. With so many other shows coming to HBO soon I don't feel like this is a slap in the face, but I will most likely not be watching this whole series.

Sorry, can't recommend it.