This movie has surprised me more than I thought. I've always loved Edward Norton as an actor. In my opinion, this guy rarely has a misstep in his career so I got pretty excited when I heard he's been working something. By the look of it you wouldn't be able to tell this is his second movie as a director. I wouldn't say that it's a masterpiece or anything but a damn good one.
The movie is set during the 90s in New York City. Everything from the set design to color and music and the calm atmosphere felt astounding. From what I know he's been trying to make this movie for years. You could tell that a lot of thoughts were put into this like something that was made with care.
Edward Norton plays a character named Lionel Essrog, who has Tourette syndrome and works at a detective agency. He lived in an abusive orphanage when he was a kid alongside a few others. Bruce Wilis' character Frank Minna, their boss rescued them from that abusive orphanage and gave them a purpose in life. Lionel because of his condition most of his life felt detached but Frank recognized his talent and sort of took him under his wing and nicknamed him "Motherless Brooklyn". One time Frank was working on a secret case that gets him killed and that leads Lionel and the others to investigate the reason for their boss was killed. While Lionel is talking to people despite his difficulties and trying to put together the missing pieces of the puzzle to get the exact story he realizes that it isn't just another simple case and there is a lot more to it than meets the eye, Frank was involved in something and found want what he wasn't supposed to. Lionel continues his pursuit to get the bigger picture.
The only thing that bugged me the most is that Lionel's condition which makes him say things repetitively, and constant touching of people on the shoulder while talking to them face to face were surprisingly well accepted by everyone he met. Anyone didn't seem annoyed, said anything insulting or made fun of him, I doubt people were that accepting and conscious of people with disabilities back in the days. Other than this I mostly enjoyed everything.
Overall, This is an absolutely solid crime mystery with great acting and the perfect setting. While I do think it's a tad bit long but it is worth watching for sure.
The movie is set during the 90s in New York City. Everything from the set design to color and music and the calm atmosphere felt astounding. From what I know he's been trying to make this movie for years. You could tell that a lot of thoughts were put into this like something that was made with care.
Edward Norton plays a character named Lionel Essrog, who has Tourette syndrome and works at a detective agency. He lived in an abusive orphanage when he was a kid alongside a few others. Bruce Wilis' character Frank Minna, their boss rescued them from that abusive orphanage and gave them a purpose in life. Lionel because of his condition most of his life felt detached but Frank recognized his talent and sort of took him under his wing and nicknamed him "Motherless Brooklyn". One time Frank was working on a secret case that gets him killed and that leads Lionel and the others to investigate the reason for their boss was killed. While Lionel is talking to people despite his difficulties and trying to put together the missing pieces of the puzzle to get the exact story he realizes that it isn't just another simple case and there is a lot more to it than meets the eye, Frank was involved in something and found want what he wasn't supposed to. Lionel continues his pursuit to get the bigger picture.
The only thing that bugged me the most is that Lionel's condition which makes him say things repetitively, and constant touching of people on the shoulder while talking to them face to face were surprisingly well accepted by everyone he met. Anyone didn't seem annoyed, said anything insulting or made fun of him, I doubt people were that accepting and conscious of people with disabilities back in the days. Other than this I mostly enjoyed everything.
Overall, This is an absolutely solid crime mystery with great acting and the perfect setting. While I do think it's a tad bit long but it is worth watching for sure.