Skip to content
Menu
STEVE ALDOUS, Writer
  • Blog
  • Welcome
  • About Me
  • My Writing
    • Novels
      • Poisoned Veins
    • Short Stories
    • Factual
      • The World of Shaft: A Complete Guide to the Novels, Comic Strip, Films and Television Series
      • Sticking It To the Man: Revolution and Counterculture in Pulp and Popular Fiction, 1956 to 1980 (edited by Andrew Nette and Iain McIntyre)
      • The Songs of Genesis: The Complete Guide to the Studio Recordings
  • Guide to The World of Shaft
    • Shaft News
    • The World of Shaft: A Complete Guide to the Novels, Comic Strip, Films and Television Series
    • Ernest Tidyman: The White Man Behind the Black Hero
    • Shaft In Print
      • Shaft (1970)
      • Shaft Among the Jews (1972)
      • Shaft’s Big Score! (1972)
      • Shaft Has a Ball (1973)
      • Goodbye, Mr. Shaft (1973)
      • Shaft’s Carnival of Killers (1974)
      • The Last Shaft (1975)
      • Shaft: A Complicated Man (2014/15)
      • Shaft’s Revenge (2016)
      • Shaft: Imitation of Life (2016)
    • Shaft On Screen
      • Shaft (1971)
      • Shaft’s Big Score! (1972)
      • Shaft in Africa (1973)
      • Shaft (TV series 1973-4)
        • The Executioners
        • The Killing
        • Hit-Run
        • The Kidnapping
        • Cop Killer
        • The Capricorn Murders
        • The Murder Machine
      • Shaft (2000)
      • Shaft (2019)
  • Contact
  • Links
STEVE ALDOUS, Writer
October 13, 2020

Film Review – MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN (2019)

Motherless Brooklyn | FlixsterMOTHERLESS BROOKLYN (2019, USA) ****
Mystery, Drama, Crime
dist. Warner Bros.; pr co. Class 5 Films / MWM Studios / Warner Bros. Pictures; d. Edward Norton; w. Edward Norton (based on the novel by Jonathan Lethem); exec pr. Adrian Alperovich, Sue Kroll, Daniel Nadler, Brian Niranjan Sheth, Robert F. Smith; pr. Michael Bederman, Bill Migliore, Daniel Nadler, Edward Norton, Gigi Pritzker, Rachel Shane, Robert F. Smith; ass pr. Silvana Tropea; ph. Dick Pope (Colour. D-Cinema. ARRIRAW (3.4K) (source format), Digital Intermediate (2K) (master format). 1.85:1); m. Daniel Pemberton; m sup. Linda Cohen; ed. Joe Klotz; pd. Beth Mickle; ad. Michael Ahern; set d. Kara Zeigon; cos. Amy Roth; m/up. Louise McCarthy, Joanna McCarthy, Kerrie Smith, John Quaglia, Sincere Gilles; sd. Paul Hsu (Dolby Digital); sfx. Jimmy Hays; vfx. Matthew Fernandez, Steven Weigle, Rebecca Dunn, Artur Elson, Vance Miller, Mark Russell, Eran Dinur, David Lebensfeld, Grant Miller, Osvaldo Andreaus, John Bair, Stevie Ramone, Luke DiTommaso; st. Stephen A. Pope; rel. 30 August 2019 (USA), 6 December 2019 (UK); cert: 15; r/t. 144m.

cast: Edward Norton (Lionel Essrog), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Laura Rose), Alec Baldwin (Moses Randolph), Willem Dafoe (Paul Randolph), Bruce Willis (Frank Minna), Ethan Suplee (Gilbert Coney), Cherry Jones (Gabby Horowitz), Bobby Cannavale (Tony Vermonte), Dallas Roberts (Danny Fantl), Josh Pais (William Lieberman), Radu Spinghel (Giant Man), Fisher Stevens (Lou), Peter Gray Lewis (Mayor), Robert Wisdom (Billy Rose), Michael Kenneth Williams (Trumpet Man), Isaiah J. Thompson (King Rooster Piano Player), Russell Hall (King Rooster Bassist), Joe Farnsworth (King Rooster Drummer), Jerry Weldon (King Rooster Saxophonist), Eric Berryman (King Rooster Bartender).

Set against the backdrop of 1950s New York, the story follows Lionel Essrog (Norton), a lonely private detective afflicted with Tourette’s Syndrome, as he ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend, Frank Minna (Willis). Armed only with a few clues and the powerful engine of his obsessive mind, Lionel unravels closely-guarded secrets that hold the fate of the whole city in the balance. In a mystery that carries him from gin-soaked jazz clubs in Harlem to the hard-edged slums of Brooklyn and, finally, into the gilded halls of New York’s power brokers, Lionel contends with thugs, corruption and the most dangerous man in the city to honour his friend and save the woman who might be his own salvation. Norton has delivered a movie from a bygone era with this noir-ish tale of murder and corruption. Norton himself is excellent as the afflicted detective, whilst a strong support cast includes Baldwin as the corrupt planning official and Dafoe as his embittered and estranged brother. The plot unfolds in traditional fashion and is laced with a wry sense of humour. Good creation of period setting is achieved through visual digital effects work, costume design, a brooding score and set dressing. It is a delight to see a film of this type that doesn’t feel the need to add Hollywood-style embellishments. It’s great entertainment, if a trifle overlong.

Recent Posts

  • Book Review – THE DARK TIDE (2022) by Simon McCleave
  • TV Review – DOCTOR WHO: WILD BLUE YONDER (2023)
  • UK Monthly Film Review November 2023 (Vol 1 No. 11) issue now available
  • TV Review – DOCTOR WHO: THE STAR BEAST (2023)
  • The Restoration of The Swiss Conspiracy

Categories

  • Book News (1)
  • Book Reviews (194)
  • Concert Reviews (2)
  • Doctor Who (57)
  • Editorial Comment (2)
  • Film Reviews (756)
  • Genesis (36)
  • Harry O (6)
  • Movie News (11)
  • Music News (14)
  • Music Reviews (22)
  • News on my writing (6)
  • Obituaries (6)
  • Shaft (133)
  • Site Update (1)
  • TV Articles (1)
  • TV News (1)
  • TV Reviews (160)
  • UK Monthly Film Review (10)
  • Uncategorized (2)

Site Content

  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Guide to The World of Shaft
    • Ernest Tidyman: The White Man Behind the Black Hero
    • Shaft In Print
      • Shaft
      • Shaft Among the Jews
      • Shaft’s Big Score!
      • Shaft Has a Ball
      • Goodbye, Mr. Shaft
      • Shaft’s Carnival of Killers
      • The Last Shaft
      • Shaft: A Complicated Man
      • Shaft’s Revenge
      • Shaft: Imitation of Life
    • Shaft On Screen
      • Shaft (1971)
      • Shaft’s Big Score! (1972)
      • Shaft in Africa (1973)
      • Shaft (TV series 1973-4)
        • The Executioners
        • The Killing
        • Hit-Run
        • The Kidnapping
        • Cop Killer
        • The Capricorn Murders
        • The Murder Machine
      • Shaft (2000)
      • Shaft (2019)
  • Links
  • My Writing
    • Factual
      • The World of Shaft: A Complete Guide to the Novels, Comic Strip, Films and Television Series
      • Sticking It To the Man: Revolution and Counterculture in Pulp and Popular Fiction, 1956 to 1980 (edited by Andrew Nette and Iain McIntyre)
      • The Songs of Genesis: The Complete Guide to the Studio Recordings
    • Novels
      • Poisoned Veins
    • Short Stories
  • UK Monthly Film Review
  • Welcome to my website

Archives

  • December 2023 (2)
  • November 2023 (4)
  • October 2023 (14)
  • September 2023 (9)
  • August 2023 (11)
  • July 2023 (5)
  • June 2023 (5)
  • May 2023 (5)
  • April 2023 (9)
  • March 2023 (7)
  • February 2023 (18)
  • January 2023 (15)
  • December 2022 (10)
  • November 2022 (9)
  • October 2022 (12)
  • September 2022 (9)
  • August 2022 (10)
  • July 2022 (9)
  • June 2022 (15)
  • May 2022 (20)
  • April 2022 (18)
  • March 2022 (13)
  • February 2022 (9)
  • January 2022 (11)
  • December 2021 (13)
  • November 2021 (9)
  • October 2021 (4)
  • September 2021 (11)
  • August 2021 (10)
  • July 2021 (6)
  • June 2021 (13)
  • May 2021 (11)
  • April 2021 (10)
  • March 2021 (3)
  • February 2021 (4)
  • January 2021 (10)
  • December 2020 (13)
  • November 2020 (8)
  • October 2020 (10)
  • September 2020 (22)
  • August 2020 (20)
  • July 2020 (6)
  • June 2020 (9)
  • May 2020 (10)
  • April 2020 (18)
  • March 2020 (18)
  • February 2020 (17)
  • January 2020 (10)
  • December 2019 (14)
  • November 2019 (10)
  • October 2019 (6)
  • September 2019 (15)
  • August 2019 (8)
  • July 2019 (9)
  • June 2019 (20)
  • May 2019 (17)
  • April 2019 (11)
  • March 2019 (8)
  • February 2019 (16)
  • January 2019 (11)
  • December 2018 (9)
  • November 2018 (19)
  • October 2018 (18)
  • September 2018 (20)
  • August 2018 (20)
  • July 2018 (3)
  • June 2018 (3)
  • May 2018 (10)
  • April 2018 (11)
  • March 2018 (10)
  • February 2018 (12)
  • January 2018 (14)
  • December 2017 (12)
  • November 2017 (15)
  • October 2017 (11)
  • September 2017 (14)
  • August 2017 (16)
  • July 2017 (13)
  • June 2017 (12)
  • May 2017 (15)
  • April 2017 (25)
  • March 2017 (9)
  • February 2017 (11)
  • January 2017 (14)
  • December 2016 (11)
  • November 2016 (10)
  • October 2016 (11)
  • September 2016 (12)
  • August 2016 (11)
  • July 2016 (7)
  • June 2016 (12)
  • May 2016 (16)
  • April 2016 (12)
  • March 2016 (16)
  • February 2016 (22)
  • January 2016 (20)
  • December 2015 (12)
  • November 2015 (18)
  • October 2015 (11)
  • September 2015 (9)
  • August 2015 (9)
  • July 2015 (11)
  • June 2015 (9)
  • May 2015 (14)
  • April 2015 (7)
  • March 2015 (8)
  • February 2015 (10)
  • January 2015 (8)
  • December 2014 (9)
  • November 2014 (12)
  • October 2014 (10)
  • September 2014 (8)
  • August 2014 (15)

Tags

87th Precinct Action Adventure Bilquis Evely Bradley Walsh Chris Chibnall Christopher Lee Clint Eastwood Comedy Comic Books Crime David Walker Dietrich Smith Doctor Who Drama Ed McBain Ernest Tidyman Fantasy Film Noir Genesis Horror Ian Fleming James Bond Jodie Whittaker John Wayne Liam Neeson Mandip Gill Mike Rutherford Mystery Peter Capaldi Phil Collins Randolph Scott Richard Roundtree Romance Samuel L Jackson Sci-Fi Shaft Shaft: Imitation of Life Spy Thriller Tony Banks Tosin Cole War Western Woody Allen

The World of Shaft


Available now from:
McFarland & Co
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)

STICKING IT TO THE MAN

Available now from:
PM Press
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)

THE SONGS OF GENESIS: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE STUDIO RECORDINGS

Available now from:
McFarland & Co
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)

Archives

  • December 2023 (2)
  • November 2023 (4)
  • October 2023 (14)
  • September 2023 (9)
  • August 2023 (11)
  • July 2023 (5)
  • June 2023 (5)
  • May 2023 (5)
  • April 2023 (9)
  • March 2023 (7)
  • February 2023 (18)
  • January 2023 (15)
  • December 2022 (10)
  • November 2022 (9)
  • October 2022 (12)
  • September 2022 (9)
  • August 2022 (10)
  • July 2022 (9)
  • June 2022 (15)
  • May 2022 (20)
  • April 2022 (18)
  • March 2022 (13)
  • February 2022 (9)
  • January 2022 (11)
  • December 2021 (13)
  • November 2021 (9)
  • October 2021 (4)
  • September 2021 (11)
  • August 2021 (10)
  • July 2021 (6)
  • June 2021 (13)
  • May 2021 (11)
  • April 2021 (10)
  • March 2021 (3)
  • February 2021 (4)
  • January 2021 (10)
  • December 2020 (13)
  • November 2020 (8)
  • October 2020 (10)
  • September 2020 (22)
  • August 2020 (20)
  • July 2020 (6)
  • June 2020 (9)
  • May 2020 (10)
  • April 2020 (18)
  • March 2020 (18)
  • February 2020 (17)
  • January 2020 (10)
  • December 2019 (14)
  • November 2019 (10)
  • October 2019 (6)
  • September 2019 (15)
  • August 2019 (8)
  • July 2019 (9)
  • June 2019 (20)
  • May 2019 (17)
  • April 2019 (11)
  • March 2019 (8)
  • February 2019 (16)
  • January 2019 (11)
  • December 2018 (9)
  • November 2018 (19)
  • October 2018 (18)
  • September 2018 (20)
  • August 2018 (20)
  • July 2018 (3)
  • June 2018 (3)
  • May 2018 (10)
  • April 2018 (11)
  • March 2018 (10)
  • February 2018 (12)
  • January 2018 (14)
  • December 2017 (12)
  • November 2017 (15)
  • October 2017 (11)
  • September 2017 (14)
  • August 2017 (16)
  • July 2017 (13)
  • June 2017 (12)
  • May 2017 (15)
  • April 2017 (25)
  • March 2017 (9)
  • February 2017 (11)
  • January 2017 (14)
  • December 2016 (11)
  • November 2016 (10)
  • October 2016 (11)
  • September 2016 (12)
  • August 2016 (11)
  • July 2016 (7)
  • June 2016 (12)
  • May 2016 (16)
  • April 2016 (12)
  • March 2016 (16)
  • February 2016 (22)
  • January 2016 (20)
  • December 2015 (12)
  • November 2015 (18)
  • October 2015 (11)
  • September 2015 (9)
  • August 2015 (9)
  • July 2015 (11)
  • June 2015 (9)
  • May 2015 (14)
  • April 2015 (7)
  • March 2015 (8)
  • February 2015 (10)
  • January 2015 (8)
  • December 2014 (9)
  • November 2014 (12)
  • October 2014 (10)
  • September 2014 (8)
  • August 2014 (15)

Categories

  • Book News (1)
  • Book Reviews (194)
  • Concert Reviews (2)
  • Doctor Who (57)
  • Editorial Comment (2)
  • Film Reviews (756)
  • Genesis (36)
  • Harry O (6)
  • Movie News (11)
  • Music News (14)
  • Music Reviews (22)
  • News on my writing (6)
  • Obituaries (6)
  • Shaft (133)
  • Site Update (1)
  • TV Articles (1)
  • TV News (1)
  • TV Reviews (160)
  • UK Monthly Film Review (10)
  • Uncategorized (2)

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
©2023 STEVE ALDOUS, Writer | Powered by WordPress and Superb Themes!