Love, Brooklyn starts light on its feet and mostly stays that way. I liked watching André Holland drift through the borough as Roger, a writer dodging a commission about Black history and Brooklyn culture while splitting his time between two relationships. One is with his ex Casey, played by Nicole Beharie, and the other is with Nicole, played by DeWanda Wise. Everyone knows where they stand. There are no secrets. The dynamic feels modern and unusually honest for a romance, which gives the film a soft charge even when it keeps things quiet.
The two women sketch out the halves of what Roger wants. With Casey, who is freer and more impulsive, the days are gallery hopping, park wandering, and gummy fueled laughter. With Nicole, who is studying to be a physical therapist and raising a child after a tragic loss, the conversations tilt toward responsibility and what a shared future might look like. It is sweet, a little sentimental, and emotionally mature without needing big speeches.
Holland is perfectly cast. He can suggest a dozen thoughts with a glance, and the film trusts that. Beharie is excellent as a person who refuses to beg for attention but knows how to have a good time. Wise brings warmth and steadiness, which turns routine scenes into choices that matter. Small turns from Roy Wood Jr. and Jack Haven add flavor on the edges and help the hangout texture feel lived in.
Rachael Abigail Holder shoots Brooklyn with affection. There are natural tracking shots that let you roll alongside Roger on his bike and feel the city moving. Then there are more rigid, symmetrical setups that look handsome but less lived in. The switch between modes creates a slight disconnect. One approach invites you into the streets, the other keeps you at a tasteful distance.
The wobble becomes clearer in the final third. A plot mechanic arrives to push things along when the film did not need the nudge. Roger takes Nicole’s daughter Ally to the park, and their conversations about her father’s death aim for gravity but feel less natural than the rest. The movie has been gentle and observant, then suddenly it tries to manufacture stakes. The tonal shift does not suit it.
Even with the stumble, the film’s core works. It is an adult drama that goes down easy, full of small decisions and earned kindnesses. It feels more succinct than some of this year’s higher profile romances, including Materialists and A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, because it keeps its eye on behavior rather than contrivance. The themes mostly land, and the performances carry the weight that the script cannot.
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Love, Brooklyn is not a knockout, but it is a pleasant, thoughtful watch. I would happily see a few films like this every year. The city looks welcoming, the actors are in tune, and the mood lingers even as the ending overreaches.
Score: 6/10
Love, Brooklyn (2025)
- Cast: André Holland, Nicole Beharie, DeWanda Wise, Cadence Reese, Roy Wood Jr., Jack Haven, Joshua Boone
- Director: Rachael Abigail Holder
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 97 minutes
- Rated: NR
- Release Date: September 5, 2025
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