It took almost two decades, but there was something about the story of Motherless Brooklyn that finally got Edward Norton back in the director’s chair. He made his helming debut in 2000 with Keeping the Faith, a comedy that featured Norton and Ben Stiller as a priest and a rabbi. This time out, Norton has gone deep and adapted Jonathan Lethem’s novel of the same moniker for the big screen. It is a stunner, and it’s out now on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download formats.
Norton brilliantly altered the landscape of Lethem’s work by setting the action to the 1950s, where seismic change was occurring in New York City. Considering the effort that would have to go into Norton’s acting performance as Lionel Essrog, for most artists that would be where the artistic contribution would begin and end. Not for the Yale drama grad as he not only starred and directed, but he also penned the script.
Norton wears Lionel Essrog like a second skin. That’s not in the least bit surprising as one of those cinematic moments that is tattooed in your brain, for me, involves the Ivy League trained thespian. It was 1996 and Primal Fear had arrived on screens. There’s that scene towards the end where Norton’s accused of murder character and Richard Gere (who played his lawyer) are interacting. The eventual Oscar nominee for this role, altered his expression, tone and practically undertook a physiological metamorphosis on a dime that will ricochet through my head until I cease to keep breathing. It was seismic. That kind of commitment is mirrored here in Motherless Brooklyn for Norton.
His Essrog is suffering from Tourette Syndrome. That in and of itself would make day-to-day existence a challenge. His vocation makes life an every second uphill climb. The lonely private detective, who is also painfully lonely, has the most extreme demands thrust upon him when his mentor and sole acquaintance, Frank Minna (Bruce Willis), is murdered. Will his mind settle down to the point where he could utilize his obsessive gifts to his advantage in bringing justice for Frank?
Witnessing Norton navigate that Lethem’s landmine-filled landscape is mesmerizing and spotlights an actor who could not be more innately connected with the source material. The actor delivers his best performance in years, and yes, that is saying something. But it’s true, there is a proliferation of ticks and the like that an actor has to map long before even showing up on the set. At the same time, this particular actor, also must be in charge of the entire operation. This moment is another spotlight on his deep talent well that will go right alongside that Primal explosive introduction to the Maryland raised actor.
Lionel will do everything he can to bring justice to Frank’s memory. Motherless Brooklyn is a classic mystery of old that finds clues coming at our protagonist fast and furious, if only he could appease his obsessive mind long enough for them all to make sense. All he has heading out is a few clues and his working overtime mind. Over the course of the film, no stone is unturned as Lionel goes toe-to-toe with everything from Brooklyn thugs to Manhattan’s powerful elite and even Harlem’s jazz clubs. He also tries desperately to save the woman, Laura Rose (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who may be his final chance at the truth.
Norton has assembled a stellar cast beyond him, Mbatha-Raw and Willis that includes Bobby Cannavale, Cherry Jones, Michael Kenneth Williams, Leslie Mann, Ethan Suplee, Dallas Roberts, Josh Pais, Robert Ray Wisdom, Fisher Stevens, Oscar nominee Alec Baldwin and Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe.
One can tell that Norton is a huge fan of music and utilizes it via his score and choice of songs in a manner that befits the drama and emotive power of what is seen and played out onscreen. The score by Daniel Pemberton was nominated for a Golden Globe and features jazz legend Wynton Marsalis on the trumpet. Thom Yorke (lead singer of Radiohead) also scored an original song for the flick that is as powerful as the film itself.
Since this is Norton’s passion project and that is felt on every single frame, diving into the bonus features of Motherless Brooklyn, one must begin with Making-Of: Edward Norton’s Methodical Process. The almost ten-minute featurette share what a miracle it is that this film even made it to the silver screen. There was a painstakingly extended development process where it seemed as if things might not happen for Lethem’s novel getting the movie treatment. Yet, with Norton’s passion and never ending unwavering commitment, the film saw the light of day. This insightful extra features awesome insight from Norton, obviously, but also Cannavale, Baldwin, Mbatha-Raw, cinematographer Dick Pope, Dafoe and producer Bill Migliore.
The next time one pops in Motherless Brooklyn in the ole Blu-Ray (or DVD) player, might I suggest turning on the audio commentary track. Often, these extras not only feature the filmmaker behind the movie magic, but either a screenwriter or producer or even one of the film’s stars. For this film’s commentary track, it is Norton completely by himself. That works. Big time. After all, as I’ve already chronicled, this is his baby. Hearing him wax poetic about everything from the scene up on your screen to offering rich vignettes about something related to what we’re watching is a running lesson on several fronts. One, the unwavering belief that what you’re doing and investing time into matters and two, to never give up on your dreams and for every no one gets, push yourself to be in a position to get shot down again, because one of those times, someone may just say, “yes.” Third, the impression that Norton lived and breathed Motherless Brooklyn comes through exponentially as each moment of the film’s visuals and his commentary pass. It’s inspiring.
Film Grade: A-
Bonus Features: B