At first glance, Apple TV+'s newest series boasts a remarkable ensemble. Tom Holland, recently renowned for his Spider-Man movies, graces the screen. Amanda Seyfried exudes elegance in her 70s attire. Sasha Lane, the epitome of distressed female characters, brings her unparalleled talent.
Additionally, the show benefits from the expertise of acclaimed scriptwriter and producer Akiva Goldman. Renowned for his Oscar-winning screenplay adaptation of A Beautiful Mind, Goldman lends his creative prowess to this production.
Set in 1979 New York, The Crowded Room follows the unsettling journey of a disturbed young man named Danny (Tom Holland) and his agitated companion Ariana (Sasha Lane). Their violent act near Rockefeller Center leads to Danny's capture, while Ariana mysteriously vanishes, leaving the lead investigator on the case (Thomas Sadoski) excited at the prospect of apprehending a serial killer.
However, Rya (Amanda Seyfried), a fellow detective, harbors doubts. Through extended conversations with Danny, who awaits his impending trial behind bars, she gradually pieces together the fragments of his life, uncovering the reasons behind his actions and the path that led him to his current predicament. As the truth emerges, The Crowded Room shifts its tone from a gritty crime drama to a more somber and sentimental narrative, though the outcome is a mix of emotions.
One of the challenges lies in the fact that The Crowded Room extends beyond an optimal length: It possesses the essence of a miniseries that would have been better suited for a two-hour film. Around the midpoint of its ten episodes, a significant revelation occurs, prompting an entire episode dedicated to revisiting the story from the perspective of a completely different character. It is at this point that the central concept of the series crystallizes, momentum begins to build, and a more comprehensive comprehension of the true stakes in Danny's trial emerges.
However, until that pivotal moment, the passage of time in The Crowded Room can feel like an extended exercise in unproductive circling. The episodes revolve around prolonged conversations between Rya and Danny, where the investigator delicately probes for genuine answers while carefully avoiding sensitive areas. Danny unravels lengthy tales about his life leading up to his arrest, presented as slow-paced scenes that sometimes lack clear intent. The knowledge that the major revelation can be reasonably anticipated, especially if one takes the initiative to search for the Daniel Keyes book that inspired the series, can amplify the frustration of the waiting game.
Through Danny's narrative, the individuals in his life are divided into angels and devils. There's his angelic mother (Emmy Rossum, who is definitely miscast here), burdened by an abusive stepfather (Will Chase). The dream girl (Emma Laird) who drifts in and out. Two mentors make their mark — a tough Israeli landlord (Lior Raz) unafraid to defend Danny with force, and an English gentleman (Jason Isaacs) who dispenses knowledge. Then there's Ariana, the troubled roommate who drowns her nights in a whirlwind of sex and drugs, only to awaken each morning consumed by emptiness.
In her portrayal of Rya, Seyfried emanates both inquisitiveness and warmth, gradually earning Danny's trust. Despite The Crowded Room's efforts to provide her character with a personal life, complete with a lively child (Thomas Parobek) and an overbearing mother (Laila Robins), Rya's role primarily revolves around displaying various shades of worry.
Eventually, The Crowded Room introduces more compassion into Danny's life, often originating from unexpectedly touching sources. For instance, his prison yard mate nonchalantly accepts Danny's idiosyncrasies with a casual shrug.
As the series reaches its final moments, it plunges headlong into its feelings. However, it remains challenging to ascertain the ultimate significance of these intense emotions. The focus on Danny and the distinct contours of his story make it difficult to extract a broader message, aside from the notion that this particular young man warrants our sympathy. Despite its expansive cast, generous episode count, and visually stunning sets, The Crowded Room is the epitome of "meeting that could've been an email."
