Trying to maintain the rhythm of a noir film for today's viewers is challenging, and the two and a half hours certainly show. While the narrative itself holds interest and the connections to contemporary America are appreciated, there isn’t sufficient contrast to offset all of the dark atmosphere. The storyline leans toward complexity, and given that it centers on piecing together clues, one might expect 'Motherless Brooklyn' to offer something new with each viewing—though I don’t know if I’d choose to experience it again in its entirety. There's nothing fundamentally flawed about this movie, aside from some peculiar editing decisions and camera angles; Norton handles the source material adequately, producing a strong nod to classic noir cinema. It occasionally flirts with being a spoof instead of a respectful tribute, but for those seeking a crime mystery reminiscent of 'Chinatown' or 'L.A. Confidential', this will likely satisfy.

Source on TMDB