The Marvelous Mrs Maisel review: Rachel Brosnahan is an outstanding force in Amazon’s new comedy drama

Amazon’s latest original is an irresistibly sharp comedy throwback to a vibrant fairytale New York, which is sure to see Rachel Brosnahan make a big splash on Hollywood’s radar.

Spearheaded by Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel follows housewife Miriam ‘Midge’ Maisel’s (Rachel Brosnahan) comfortable life in the Big Apple; married to businessman high-flyer Joel (Michael Zegen) who’s struggling career in comedy becomes a joint interest for the pair to spice up family life.

This stable world however soon tumbles in dramatic fashion, leaving Midge with refreshed, wide-eyed wonder as she discovers her own natural talent for the spotlight and ability to use stand-up comedy as a form of thrilling mental catharsis.

The show’s main joy is seeing Midge’s growth as a fierce pioneer on-stage – being an abrasive, sharp-tongued woman during a time when women weren’t known to speak so openly under the spotlight. The stand-up sequences especially see Brosnahan’s performance and Palladino’s script swirl into an unstoppable force, spilling through hilarious zingers with unrestrained and infectious energy.

Midge eventually pairs up with comedy club employee Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein), who sees overwhelming potential in her drunken rambles and wants to hone the ‘act’ for the big stage. It’s a dynamite pairing which is key to the show’s appeal – with one sequence around Susie’s criticisms of Maisel’s home being a zippy clash of backgrounds which perfectly sets up their dynamic.

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Backing up this stellar set of performances is the vivid aesthetic of the show itself. If you’ve ever found yourself wistfully dreaming of seeing New York under Frank Sinatra’s nostalgic watch, Maisel bursts with vivid throwback production value – capturing the decade of dream-chasers in a glossy overcoat similar to Mad Men for the 1960s.

While Amy’s famed quick-fire dialogue is on blistering form, not all the characters land quite so well. The extended family, while a source of great one-liners, often feel one-note. There’s also concern the repeated ending comedy routine structure could become tiresome if it continues across the season, potentially working against the show’s bubbly appearance of spontaneity.

These however are minor quibbles which never distract from this throwback feast for the senses. Judging by the first four episodes, between the show’s stunning performances, popping visuals and being a nostalgic, empowering tribute to the art of stand-up, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel is on course to be one of Amazon’s best shows to date.

The Marvelous Mrs Maisel is available to stream now on Amazon.

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