The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel 1×01 – Pilot

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has an interesting premise: a 1950’s housewife with a seemingly idyllic life has her whole world turned upside down and discovers a talent for stand-up comedy. It’s a catchy start to a promising new show by Amazon (yup, everyone’s doing television these days).

The best thing about Mrs. Maisel is its visual palette; cinematographer David Mullen packs every frame with a whole lot of color and eye-popping details. This makes the period comedy an absolute delight to watch as we constantly zip from one scene to the next. Paired with an amusing musical score, this is an upbeat creation that often feels like a musical (without the annoying singing). In fact, it often reminded me of another terrific New York comedy: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

The show’s star, Rachel Brosnahan, is a real standout. The pilot’s script asks her to juggle a whole lot, and she manages to balance it all with thriving colors. Stand up comedy isn’t easy, but Rachel makes it feel both effortless and hilarious. I won’t spoil the pilot’s most memorable scene, but suffice to say that the final ten minutes are a certified hoot.

Brosnahan is also surrounded by a capable supporting cast. As a comedy club employee who inspires Rachel to pursue this new career, Alex Borstein is a highlight. Her dynamic with Miriam is obviously going to be at the forefront of the show, and the duo have some great chemistry right off the bat. I’m definitely optimistic.

Conclusion
A vibrant and charming creation with a starmaking performance by Brosnahan at its center.

Nad Rating
A-