"Motherless Brooklyn" takes a modern twist on a classic noir concept without the black-and-white gradient, and it works wonders.
In 1950s New York, Lionel Essrog (Edward Norton) is a lonely detective with Tourette's Syndrome who loves to cuddle with his cat and can't light a match without making sure it strikes just right. He chews gum or smokes weed to ease his ticks, and he says his head is messed up even though he can precisely remember conversations and voices. But despite having obstacles that some might see as a weakness, his boss Frank Minna (Bruce Willis) has faith in his friend.
One day a mission goes wrong and leaves Frank dead. So Lionel sets off to find who killed his valued mentor, and the investigation leads him into a complicated web woven by a corrupt city official (Alec Baldwin) who is heckled by a mysterious man named Paul (Willem Dafoe). And his paths cross with an activist named Laura Rose (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), and she shows him kindness that few have given the unassuming gumshoe.
Though Norton's Lionel is the heart of the film, Lionel's relationship with Laura is sweet and tender to witness with every intimate conversation and soft touch.
MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN - Official TrailerYouTube
Edward Norton, who also directs the movie, is simply fantastic. Viewers can tell he's done his research to accurately portray Tourette's and OCD tendencies with respect. His vision for the period film oozes with sophistication, and some experimental cinematography is mesmerizing. Daniel Pemberton also deserves a tip of the hat for music that pairs beautifully with the growing tensions and plot twists.
The film opens with a fitting Shakespearean quote: "Oh! it is excellent to have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant." Other than the obvious reference to the movie's dishonest characters, it's an allusion to Lionel who quietly carries strength and uses it to protect others.
Perceptive viewers can predict the plot twists, but when they happen it's still riveting because the plot is so thick that it's easy to forget hints.
And as wonderful as this film is, the pacing is really off. Like the jazz music this movie showcases, the tension echoes for a crescendo, and then lulls to a quiet tune. One minute it's exciting to watch Lionel make a discovery, but then the movie jumps to a confrontation that feels too long and flat.
But thankfully, the movie is still worth the ride.
"Motherless Brooklyn" earns 8/10. See it in theaters Friday, November 1, 2019.
Follow Samantha Incorvaia on Twitter at @_SamI520.
