Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- brooding
- atmospheric
- serious
- rainy day
- late night mystery viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film stylish, politically ambitious, and strongly acted, while considering its extended runtime and convoluted pacing a significant burden.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Lionel's murder investigation exposes corruption connected to the reshaping of New York City and the fate of its residents.
Lionel Essrog's Tourette syndrome affects his speech, behavior, isolation, and obsessive approach to solving the case.
The investigation is tied to politically controlled urban development and the removal of marginalized communities.
Lionel follows scattered clues through guarded secrets despite social isolation and the danger surrounding his friend's murder.
Films like Motherless Brooklyn, and why
Chinatown
shares neo-noir investigation, political corruption, urban power structures, and a morally driven detective protagonist
L.A. Confidential
shares labyrinthine private-eye mystery, period city politics, shadowy atmosphere, and institutional corruption
Zodiac
shares obsessive detective work, conspiratorial secrets, and a dense crime mystery shaped by social inequality
The Nice Guys
shares eccentric detective characterization, historical urban intrigue, and a politically charged noir mood
Movie Details
- Director
- Edward Norton
- Release Date
- 2019-10-31
- Runtime
- 145 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (1657)
Cast
- Edward Norton
- Bruce Willis
- Gugu Mbatha-Raw
- Alec Baldwin
- Willem Dafoe
- Bobby Cannavale
- Cherry Jones
- Michael Kenneth Williams
- Leslie Mann
- Ethan Suplee
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Motherless Brooklyn about?
- A lonely private detective with Tourette syndrome follows the clues to his friend's murder into a corrupt power struggle over 1950s New York.
- What is Motherless Brooklyn like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Motherless Brooklyn as slow, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Motherless Brooklyn violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Motherless Brooklyn as moderate.
- What did critics think of Motherless Brooklyn?
- Critics broadly found the film stylish, politically ambitious, and strongly acted, while considering its extended runtime and convoluted pacing a significant burden.
- Which films are like Motherless Brooklyn?
- Films with a similar feel include Chinatown, L.A. Confidential, Zodiac, and The Nice Guys.
- How long is Motherless Brooklyn?
- Motherless Brooklyn runs 145 minutes.
- Where can I watch Motherless Brooklyn?
- In United States, Motherless Brooklyn is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex.
