Motherless Brooklyn

“Motherless Brooklyn” is a film noir detective story set in the New York of the 1950s.  This is the first movie that Ed Norton has written, directed, and starred in, and it is an excellent trifecta debut.  Ed Norton stars as Lionel, nicknamed Brooklyn, who is part of a team of private investigators headed by Frank Minna (Bruce Willis), who rescued all four of the men from a parentless foster childhood after the war.  Lionel, who has Tourette’s syndrome and an incredible memory, is devoted to Frank.  Frank brings Lionel and another of the group to a mysterious meeting.  He won’t explain any details of what he is doing there, they are just along to provide back-up.  When the undisclosed plan falls apart, Frank is murdered by some unknown shady characters.  Lionel takes the case to find his friend’s killer and figure out what is going on. As he probes deeper and deeper, he slowly uncovers a complex and widespread criminal conspiracy. As you could probably guess, he discovers corruption, dark secrets, and maybe even love as he traverses between Brooklyn and Harlem.  Norton gives an outstanding performance as Lionel.  Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker is more powerful; but Norton’s subtle and nuanced characterization is equally as compelling.  The story held my interest for the entire 2 1/2 hours, helped by some excellent supporting performances by Alex Baldwin, Willem Dafoe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Bruce Willis, Bobby Cannavale and Michael K. Williams.  Norton has re-created the 1950’s New York City atmosphere wonderfully. This old-fashioned detective type movie is not made very often any more and it is a shame.  I definitely recommend this outstanding movie based on the book by Jonathan Lethem.