Motherless Brooklyn was a pet project of Edward Norton’s for years, and now it has become his second film as director. The film tells the story of a private detective with Tourette Syndrome whose partner (Bruce Willis) is rubbed out by criminals, and the ensuing investigation to uncover the who’s and the why’s. Norton adapted the screenplay from the Jonathan Lethem novel, and gives himself the lead role, eliciting empathy through all his tics and inflections. He is surrounded by a capable cast that includes Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Bobby Cavanale, Alec Baldwin and Willem Dafoe. Opening wide.

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