'Motherless Brooklyn' - A Hearty Neo-Noir Detective Story

Edward Norton caps off this decade by writing, directing, and starring in a film about a detective with Tourette's syndrome named Lionel Essrog, who dares to solve the murder of his mentor, Frank Minna. Adapted from Jonathan Lethem's novel Motherless Brooklyn, Norton attempts to bring Lethem's characters into a different period, giving it a neo-noir comedic treatment re-setting in 1950's New York.

Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures

Equipped with his creative mind and only with a few clues, Lionel untangles closely confidential secrets that hold the fate of New York from one Burrough to another. He fights corruption, thugs, and one of the most dangerous and powerful men in the city to honor his deceased friend and save a woman who could be instrumental to his own sanity.

Norton obviously poured his heart and soul into this project. It's ambitious from its overall style and his distinctive portrayal. He noticeably wants to give the best-selling book justice. For one, he makes Lionel incredibly likable whose quirks could easily be defined as identifiable and adorable. His portrayal of Tourette's syndrome could be seen as over-the-top but it's an eye-catching performance overall.

Motherless Brooklyn's thorough neo-noir vibe is also very believable. It's a gimmick that could either go wrong especially with the wrong material, but its detective storyline pretty much suits the atmosphere Norton created. And it's not as simple as solving a murder mystery. It goes beyond a more serious matter surrounding New York. It even tackles race against the city's biggest businessmen. But the film got me hooked not because of its spectacle. It's Lionel's life as a detective and as a human that is more outstanding.

Norton's character, Lionel, shows persistence in pursiing his career under the circumstances. He understands his condition and how it would be perceived by others but that doesn't stop him from doing his job. What's even more touching is that there are people around him that would completely embrace him as he is. From Bruce Willis to Gugu Mbatha-raw, and finally Edward Norton, they bring out the humanity in a big material like this. Their hearts and even humor outshine the complicated and serious subject of the film.