Love, Brooklyn is the debut feature film from director Rachael Abigail Holder. The film graciously intertwines the city of Brooklyn with its residents, and follows them as they’re forced to grow. Change is an inevitability, and in the film, we see characters who are chagrined in Brooklyn’s direction while also struggling with personal changes.
The main figure in the story is Roger (André Holland), a writer who made a name for himself during the pandemic. He’s walking a thin line, trying to manage a friendship with his ex, Casey (Nicole Beharie), while navigating his current relationship with Nicole (DeWanda Wise). With his best friend Alan (Roy Wood Jr.) in his corner, Roger will have to make some changes in his life if he plans to stay above water and in Brooklyn.
The film boasts beautiful visuals, following Roger as he bikes the streets of Brooklyn. Two things that speak out immediately are the love for his borough and the chemistry with Casey. They call themselves friends, but labels be damned, they look like a happy couple, waxing idiotic about art and shared perspectives on gentrification.
The film flowed effortlessly, boasting an immeasurable amount of beauty in its simplicity. Black people yearn for films like this. In a deep chasm where Black love is usually paired with drama and stereotypes, Love, Brooklyn sidesteps that clichéd abyss and focuses on growth. Roger needs to stop riding the fence and decide which woman is going to get his full attention. Casey must stop avoiding the calls to purchase her art gallery and determine if she and Roger deserve another shot. Nicole, a widow and mother to Ally (Cadence Reese), hasn’t fully grieved the loss of her husband and needs clarity from Roger about their future. The era of late 90s/early 2000s Black love stories on film would be proud of this project.
The film does a good job tackling the complexities of adult friendships. There’s no universal way to address befriending an ex, but Roger, after a few bumps and bruises, does the right thing and sets boundaries. Oddly enough, when he was taking criticism from all sides, I was waiting for either one of them to throw out a “Go home, Roger!” but perhaps that would’ve been “too” Black (if you know, you know). Another layer shown in the film is integrating your partner into your personal life, when that life involves a young child. Nicole doesn’t make the best choice in this regard, and her decision opened the door to a dramatic scenario. Constant communication from Casey and questioning by Nicole takes a toll on his work, or better, lack thereof. Again, another true-to-life experience where external factors affect your mental health, which in turn, impact your job.
Love, Brooklyn gets an 8 out of 10. Physical intimacy is implied and not shown, keeping it classy and hopefully avoiding an “R” rating. While the film isn’t perfect, it had a lot of things that I enjoyed. The soundtrack is chill, I love the cast, and the cinematography is inviting. On the other hand, characters were aggravating at times, and there were a few moments where the silence in dialogue didn’t land with any power or presence. Outside of that, it’s a beautiful film featuring Black love, light drama, and a healthy dose of humor. To say it’s “cute” would be a loaded comment, but it does fit the bill.
Love, Brooklyn will have a limited release on Aug. 29, with a nationwide release on Sept. 5.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of Greenwich Entertainment
Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance
Rating: Unrated (Adult humor and sexual innuendo)
Runtime: 1 hr 37 mins
Trailer: Watch
U.S. Release Date: Limited on August 29 | Nationwide on September 5
[…] actually love DeWanda Wise in this more than her prior film Love, Brooklyn. Her onscreen chemistry with Jack Alcott was warm and enjoyable. Bill Pullman makes his appearance […]