Steven Soderbergh crafts an intriguing six-part miniseries with support from an enviable cast
HBO, and TV in general, has achieved much success of late with the miniseries approach. The Night Of, Big Little Lies, or The Wizard of Lies are but a few. A more common approach in overseas market, the 6 or 8 episode single-season format offers focus, but a deeper telling of a story that may be shortchanged by a two-hour feature. The latest such offering from HBO comes from a script by Ed Solomon (both Now You Can See Me movies), brought to the screen by acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh, who has already demonstrated a knack for TV with his recent, and sadly underwatched, work The Knick.
Synopsis:
A twisting tale of passion, intrigue and deception, set against the backdrop of a mountain resort town, Mosaic follows popular children’s book author and illustrator Olivia Lake (Sharon Stone), whose literary success makes her a local celebrity in the tight-knit community. When Olivia disappears on New Year’s Eve, leaving behind a blood-soaked studio, the town’s suspicions turn to the two new men in her life: handsome, young aspiring graphic artist Joel Hurley (Garrett Hedlund) and charming stranger Eric Neill (Frederick Weller). The four-year investigation that follows leaves local law enforcement lead by detective Nate Henry (Devin Ratray) and Eric’s sister Petra (Jennifer Ferrin), to unravel the mystery in this captivating series that explores the psychological underpinnings of love and murder in a small town.
Olivia Lake is a glamorous, confident woman, played with effortless ease by Sharon Stone. Residing in a Utah resort town, she’s a flirtatious sort that draws people to her, including a number of men, notably bartender Joel (Garrett Hedlund) and con-artist Eric (Frederick Weller), both of whom find themselves in conflict with her on one fateful evening, shortly before she is found dead. While they immediately become persons of interest, Mosaic charts the ripple effect of Olivia’s death in this town, affecting people like her friend JC (the always brilliant and always welcome Paul Reubens) and drawing in the police investigators Nate Henry (Devin Ratray) and Petra (Jennifer Ferrin), who also happens to be Eric’s sister. The aftermath brings to the surface local intrigue, social commentary courtesy of corruption in the town, which works well as a setting from both an aesthetic and a cultural framing point of view. The investigation continues, pressure mounts, and the suspects, and even those not directly involved, begin to buckle under the weight of it all.
So far so familiar for a murder mystery, but where Mosaic sets itself apart is how it shifts perspectives and focus across an array of characters, often looping back to reframe what the audience knows, or thinks it knows. Perspective and interpretation are skillfully interwoven to the structure. This does lend the show an intriguing experimental air, something underscored by the show launching with an interactive app allowing viewers to “choose their own path” through the story. However, overall Mosaic has moments where it’s a little plodding or expositiony. It takes a few episodes to find its footing and build up momentum, and it’s no coincidence that this confidence comes as new energy is brought by a extended roster of supporting characters played by notables such as Allison Tolman, Maya Kazan, and Beau Bridges. The biggest draw is still Soderbergh though, and his work to layer in different aspects of the story; changing angles as he retells scenes from different perspectives adds both focus and intrigue to a series that in less deft hands could have been far less impressive.
The Package
As you’d expect with a modern digitally filmed show, especially from HBO, the presentation is top notch. Soderbergh’s mastery of the camera is shown off with a sharp transfer, showcasing natural and deep colors, impressive contrast and detail.
Special features are limited to a two part featurette, Heart of Homicide which delves a little behind the scenes, sheds some light on the piece, and includes some interviews. There’s also a digital download code included.
The Bottom Line
Overall, Mosaic offers up a satisfying, if conventional whodunit tale. Polished and intriguing, without adding anything new to the genre. What sets the show apart is the skill brought by Soderbergh behind the camera, and by Stone and a great supporting cast in front of it.
Mosaic is available on DVD and Blu-ray via HBO from July 10th, 2018.
