Zoe Saldana
Patrick J. Adams
Jason Isaacs
Carole Bouquet

Scott Abbott
James Wong

Miniseries
2014
Drama, Horror, Mystery
NBC
TV-14

After watching the first two hours of NBC’s “Rosemary’s Baby,” I decided that this two-part miniseries is neither suspenseful nor scary. Furthermore, it’s woefully straightforward and lacking in depth. The fault lies with the writing and the four-hour runtime (with commercials). It’s not bad, but it’s certainly not good either.

The actors are appealing enough (what’s with those wigs on Zoe?), but they don’t have much to do here: The events seem repetitive and dull. In the Polanski film that supposedly inspired this, there’s a ton of suspense and a strong sense of character. In the film, the neighbors’ quirky behavior (especially Ruth Gordon’s Oscar-winning turn) brings an interesting and necessary spice to many of the scenes. In addition, Polanski’s sense of pace and atmosphere makes the horror-thriller genre seem special.

The atmospherics are mostly missing in this miniseries adaptation of “Rosemary’s Baby,” and there are no quirky characters. They need things to twist and turn, instead of being fixed on a straight line. The setting and character descriptions are different from the film, but so what? Why did this need to be made? It reminds me a little of ABC’s “666 Park Avenue,” and that’s not a good thing.

Verdict: OK to Whatever

About: (Source: rosebaby)

Based on the 1967 best-selling suspense novel by Ira Levin, this new adaptation of “Rosemary’s Baby” centers on a young married couple who escapes New York and moves to Paris with hopes of leaving their sad past behind. After a series of unfortunate events, Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse are presented with an offer they can’t refuse – an apartment at the most prestigious address in the city. Problem is, it comes with a haunted past and an immeasurable price.

Rosemary (Zoe Saldana, “Avatar,” “Star Trek Into Darkness”) and Guy (Patrick J. Adams, “Suits”) are incredulous at their good fortune and find comfort in a strange city among their new friends and neighbors, the Castevets. This well-to-do successful older couple takes the newcomers under their wing and become very involved with the Woodhouses’ lives. Things seem to be perfect as Rosemary becomes pregnant and Guy’s career takes off. As their spirited best friend, Guy’s co-worker Julie (Christina Cole), spends quality time with Rosemary in the city, she finds Rosemary’s health worrying and cautions both of them that something isn’t right. Soon there are other signs warning Rosemary to be careful.