Watch Motherless Brooklyn

Motherless Brooklyn is a 2019 crime film written, directed, produced, and starring Edward Norton, based on the 1999 novel of the same name by Jonathan Lethem. The film also features Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Alec Baldwin in key roles. It is set in 1950s New York City, in the aftermath of World War II, and revolves around Lionel Essrog (Norton), a private detective who has Tourette syndrome.

Essrog works for Frank Minna (Bruce Willis), the owner of a detective agency that operates in the Brooklyn neighborhood where Essrog grew up. When Minna is murdered, Essrog sets out to solve the case, which takes him on a journey through the city's underworld and political landscape. Along the way, he uncovers a web of corruption and violence, and gets closer to the truth about Minna's death.

The film is shot in a classic film noir style, with dark, moody visuals, and a jazz-infused score by Daniel Pemberton. It also incorporates elements of social commentary, highlighting issues of race, power, and disability. Mbatha-Raw plays Laura Rose, a community activist who becomes Essrog's ally in his investigation, providing a stark contrast to the corrupt officials and shady characters he encounters.

One of the film's strengths is its attention to detail in recreating the vibe of 1950s New York, from the fashion and architecture to the political climate and social mores. The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Willem Dafoe as an eccentric inventor and Dallas Roberts as a rival detective. However, the standout performance is undoubtedly Norton's, who portrays Essrog with nuance and sympathy, deftly balancing his tics and tendencies with his intelligence and intuition.

Overall, Motherless Brooklyn is a stylish and engaging crime thriller, with a compelling protagonist and a well-crafted plot. Its exploration of themes of identity, justice, and power make it more than just a pulpy genre exercise, and its attention to historical detail adds an extra layer of richness to the story. Fans of classic detective novels and films are likely to find a lot to enjoy in this movie, but its relevance and resonance for modern audiences should not be overlooked.

Motherless Brooklyn is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 24 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 60.