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Motherless Brooklyn

Play trailer 2:33 Poster for Motherless Brooklyn R Released Nov 1, 2019 2h 24m Mystery & Thriller Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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65% Tomatometer 220 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Verified Ratings
Lionel Essrog is a lonely private detective who doesn't let Tourette's syndrome stand in the way of his job. Gifted with a few clues and an obsessive mind, Lionel sets out to solve the murder of Frank Minna -- his mentor and only friend. Scouring the jazz clubs and slums of Brooklyn and Harlem, Essrog soon uncovers a web of secrets while contending with thugs, corruption and the most dangerous man in the city.
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Motherless Brooklyn

Motherless Brooklyn

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Critics Consensus

Motherless Brooklyn's imposing length requires patience, but strong performances and a unique perspective make this a mystery worth investigating.

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Critics Reviews

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Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald If that sounds worthy, well-meaning and incredibly dull, I can only say that Norton makes it work, spinning it into a twisting narrative that, admittedly, does require your concentration. Rated: 4/5 Feb 26, 2020 Full Review David Stratton The Australian The narrative and the characters are so interesting, and the whole theme...so riveting that Norton's immensely ambitious film succeeds as a compelling exercise in neo-film noir. Rated: 4/5 Feb 25, 2020 Full Review Alexandra Heller-Nicholas The Blue Lenses Motherless Brooklyn is a love-letter to the long-held focus across film noir on masculinity in crisis, but through Lethem's source material and Norton's deep engagement with it, something genuinely fresh explodes out of seemingly familiar material. Dec 10, 2019 Full Review David Griffiths Subculture Entertainment Very few films have made me feel like I wanted to turn around and go back into the cinema to watch it again – but this one did. This is a beautiful suspense film that showcases some of amazing acting talents while never losing its unique noir feeling. Rated: 4/5 Oct 29, 2024 Full Review Jillian Chilingerian Offscreen With Jillian It is an interesting idea but doesn't translate well off the page. Aug 11, 2023 Full Review Bill Bria Vague Visages Motherless Brooklyn may not be a sterling example of traditional noir, but its subtext is gripping in its own way. The victim of this crime story isn’t a dead man or a damsel in distress, but the spirit of a city. Jun 7, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Michael L With the star power in this movie I had HIGH expectations and it fell short of that but it was still an alright movie. If you waited for Red Box you wouldn't be disappointed. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/07/20 Full Review Karrien The story was interesting but not succinct. The plot progressed too slowly and somewhat unclearly. I felt that the movie was too long and that Alec Baldwin's role was not well-written. Baldwin's talents did not shine. He could have played a stronger and more dramatic role. Ed Norton's character was interesting and well played. Bruce Willis's role was short-lived, and that was a shame. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/31/19 Full Review marie78 Ed Norton is a great actor but this movie lacked a lot including development, purpose and it was far too long. I waited to see it when it made it to the “discount” theater and I still feel cheated (mostly of my time). I constantly checked my watch and even heard a man snoring in the middle of the movie. Please wait for this to hit Netflix or cable. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/20/19 Full Review Oscar Started out really slow in storyline/plot development. The last 25-30 minutes were very good. Norton’s acting was definitely Oscar worthy. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/03/19 Full Review Chigako Y if you are live in NYC, u got to see this movie! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/01/19 Full Review D It was a great detective noir film! Loved the characters and Alex Bladwins bad guy Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/30/19 Full Review Read all reviews
Motherless Brooklyn

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Lionel Essrog is a lonely private detective who doesn't let Tourette's syndrome stand in the way of his job. Gifted with a few clues and an obsessive mind, Lionel sets out to solve the murder of Frank Minna -- his mentor and only friend. Scouring the jazz clubs and slums of Brooklyn and Harlem, Essrog soon uncovers a web of secrets while contending with thugs, corruption and the most dangerous man in the city.
Director
Edward Norton
Producer
Bill Migliore, Edward Norton, Michael Bederman, Gigi Pritzker, Rachel Shane
Screenwriter
Edward Norton, Jonathan Lethem
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Class 5 Films, Warner Bros. Pictures
Rating
R (Language Throughout|Brief Drug Use|Some Sexual References|Violence)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 1, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 1, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$9.3M
Runtime
2h 24m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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