Saturated with wholehearted poignancy we say goodbye to Mrs. Maisel; more than “marvelous” she possessed a flair for chicanery without guile, a vanity without pomposity, a wittiness without brutishness; Rachel Brosnahan (Miriam Maisel) along with the prescient writing of Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, is the quintessential stand-up comedian: unblemished timing, impeccable judgment of her audience, a queen of self-depreciation and an icon of style; we meet her in the first season as an upper middle class (late 1950’s) Jewish housewife and mother, gifted with seductive charm and a champion of brisket baking, slaying the stereotypical, elitist image of an affluent, spoiled Jewish girl; Mrs. Maisel brilliantly sheds accessibility, normalcy on a culture classified as “other”; we love her and want her in our sphere.
Consummate casting is the jackpot of any visual experience and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” governs the summit: Marin Hinkle (Rose Weissman) and Tony Shalhoub (Abe Weissman), superb as Midge’s parents; Michael Zegen (Joel Meisel), Midge’s ex-husband, exponentially garnishes likeability with each season; Caroline Aaron (Shirley Maisel) and Kevin Pollak (Moishe Maisel) are absurdly hilarious as the “in-laws”; Luke Kirby (Lenny Bruce) is spotless in his depiction of Bruce, a megastar comedian, asphyxiated by his additions; a myriad of others (Jane Lynch, Stephanie Hsu, Leroy McClain) added blazing unification to the series. One character soars, dominates the crowd, unmatched, a scion of humor, untouched, in a realm of her own; more than any role, “Susie” (Olympian, Alex Borstein) will be achingly, heartbreakingly missed; daunting in her approach to life, Midge Maisel, she remained unvanquished throughout the series, a victor of isolation, determination and tenacity.
In conclusion, Season One & Two were astounding; the Third, faltered and failed, redeemed by Season Four; Season Five, with scenes of the future, was infused with profound nostalgia, intelligence, a sadness for what was, and a longing for its repetition.
FOUR STARS!!!!
Peneflix