Joey Magidson
Brooklyn is my hometown. It’s where I was born, raised, and where I currently reside. So, when a film comes along entitled Love, Brooklyn, it’s going to have my attention. Now, the movie doesn’t present my life experience, but it does present a relatable one, which is key to its success. This Sundance Film Festival title isn’t going to blow you away, but it’s the kind of movie destined to be watched and re-watched by its fans.
Love, Brooklyn is just good enough to make you wish it was better, but that doesn’t take away from its low-key charms. It feels in some ways like a missed opportunity for a more all-encompassing New York romance, but what it sets out to do, it largely does. There’s a unique perspective at play, which does help set it apart, ultimately contributing to its success.
Roger (André Holland) is a writer who spends more time during the day biking around Brooklyn than working on a magazine article. He observes the changing neighborhoods with a sense of wonder reserved for a resident who sees things changing. He’s also observing how his complicated relationships with ex-girlfriend Casey (Nicole Beharie) and current lover Nicole (DeWanda Wise) are on the precipice of change.
While an article on how Brooklyn and the city has navigated the post COVID lockdown world brews in his mind, Roger is focused on Casey and Nicole, though in many ways, he’s mostly focused on himself. Of course, that can’t last forever, and events will transpire that will force him to grow up, decide what he wants, and who he actually wants to be.
André Holland leads the way here, with Nicole Beharie and DeWanda Wise also doing very solid work. Holland has chemistry with them both, leading to the best scenes just being the ones where they’re interacting. Beharie and Wise play characters who need to call Holland’s character on his shit, which is consistently entertaining, while he showcases his tremendous amount of charm. Supporting players include Cassandra Freeman, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Cadence Reese, Roy Wood Jr., and more.
Director Rachel Holder and writer Paul Zimmerman are all about vibes here, as the film is pretty light on plot. It’s a slight work, and fairly broad overall, but there’s charm to spare. Holder and Zimmerman love their characters, which does rub off on their audience. While you might wish things were sharper, Brooklyn is given a sheen that makes it appear like just about the most beautiful spot that New York has to offer.
Love, Brooklyn won’t blow you away, that much is true, but it should entertain you, while showcasing some under-seen parts of my borough. The rougher edges keep the film from being a cut above, and overall, it’s middle of the road for Sundance 2025, but it’s still well worth seeing. Especially if you’re a Brooklynite, there’s something often lovely here.
SCORE: ★★★
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