Motherless Brooklyn

Written and directed by Edward norton

based on the book by jonathan lethem

rating: ⭐️ Better than a psl

Lionel Essrog is a private investigator with Tourette’s Syndrome. When his long-time friend and boss, Frank Minna, gets killed in a job-gone-wrong Essrogg becomes determined to find out who killed Frank.

This noir style film throws it back to a golden era of film. The eerie shadows, pensive voiceovers, and meandering plot twists made this film delightfully fun to watch. The cinematography felt vintage and fresh at the same time. The backdrop of gritty Brooklyn provided the perfect setting for a mystery. The best part of this film was the performances from the stacked cast. Edward Norton, Alec Baldwin, Willem Dafoe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Bruce Willis, Leslie Mann, and Bobby Cannavale all had natural onscreen chemistry with each other and with Brooklyn. As New York City often does, and specifically the Brooklyn borough, the setting plays a huge role in this film. Brooklyn is basically a living, breathing character emoting sorrow, growth, and uncertainty. She relates to and interacts differently with each character in a way that is indicative of the many differences between each character. This beautiful relationship between cast and setting helps to tell the story.

This film has received some negative reviews for its length (2 hours and 24 minutes) and it’s slow, meandering style. While I can see why some people may have grown bored during this movie that is not how I felt in the slightest. I was captivated by the characters and the plot from beginning to end. The slow pace felt intentional, and each scene kept the storyline moving forward. I absolutely loved this film and I recommend it as a must-watch for 2019.

Review written by Zianna Weston