Sharp Objects

Based on the 2006 debut novel by Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl), this eight-part HBO-aired miniseries stars Amy Adams as Camille Preaker, a St. Louis reporter sent back to her (fictional) hometown of Wind Gap, MO, to investigate the recent disappearance of a teen who might be the second victim of a killer who murdered another young girl the previous summer. Camille is an alcoholic—and only recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital—and she is unnerved at the thought of reconnecting with her imperious mother, Adora (Patricia Clarkson), who fancies herself Wind Gap’s grande dame and presides over the town’s Civil War-themed Calhoun Day celebration. In addition to Adora, Camille must also deal with her laidback stepfather Alan (Henry Czerny) and troubled teen half-sister Amma (Eliza Scanlen), as well as the hostile local sheriff (Matt Craven) and a Kansas City detective (Chris Messina) investigating the disappearance, with whom she develops a romantic relationship. As directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, the series is positively drenched in woozy atmosphere—no doubt to reflect the protagonist’s hazy connection with reality—as well as an inevitable deluge of red herrings. Despite fine performances, especially on the part of Adams and Clarkson, the plot culminates in so many unlikely revelations that Sharp Objects ultimately impresses more as a slow-moving mood piece than a convincing mystery. Still, that is enough to make it well worth the watch. Extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette. Recommended. (F. Swietek)