Motherless Brooklyn (2019) – Mystery In The City That Never Sleeps

Motherless Brooklyn is a 2019 crime-drama film directed, written and starring Edward Norton. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Jonathan Lethem, the film takes the audience on a complicated case-solving journey of a detective with Tourette syndrome in the context of 1950s New York.

The film follows Lionel Essrog (Edward Norton), a private detective with a phenomenal memory but Tourette syndrome – which makes him unable to control his sudden words or actions. When Frank Minna (Bruce Willis), his mentor and benefactor, is murdered in a mysterious case, Lionel is determined to investigate to find out the truth.

Clues lead Lionel to dark secrets related to power, corruption and conspiracies manipulating the city. On that journey, he meets Laura Rose (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a social activist who plays an important role in the case. The deeper Lionel goes into the investigation, the more secrets he discovers that can shake the entire power system of New York.

The film has a classic film noir style, from dark alleys, smoke-filled bars to sad jazz music echoing in the night. Under the hands of Edward Norton, Motherless Brooklyn is not only a crime story but also a picture of the hidden corners of New York in the 1950s.

The dark sides of the city are not only shown through images but also through the way people are caught up in the vortex of ambition, power and political corruption. The film depicts the confrontation between the underprivileged class and those with absolute power – represented by the character Moses Randolph (Alec Baldwin), an official who manipulates the entire city to his will.

Edward Norton not only directs but also plays Lionel brilliantly. He brings to life a character who is both intelligent, sharp, and vulnerable due to his illness. Despite suffering from Tourette syndrome, Lionel never lets it stop him from pursuing justice. This makes the character relatable and memorable.

The supporting cast also performs impressively, especially Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Laura Rose, a strong woman who also carries her own pain. Alec Baldwin as Moses Randolph brings a powerful and terrifying villain, symbolizing corruption in society.

Despite its classic noir style, Motherless Brooklyn is not only a detective film but also a story about identity, injustice, and the loneliness of a forgotten person. The film is captivating not only because of the mystery of the case but also because of the way it delves into the psychology of the characters and questions about morality in society.

With careful investment in script, images and music, Motherless Brooklyn is a work worth watching for those who love deep detective – drama films.