Sundance provides this landscape of opportunity for directors to launch their feature debut to an audience of cinephiles and industry buyers, and it’s always an exciting time to see these first-time filmmakers shine with their artistic pieces. This year, Rachael Abigail Holder brings us Love, Brooklyn, a story that follows three lifelong Brooklynites as they grapple with personal and professional changes while the city they adore undergoes its own evolution.
Roger (André Holland), a charismatic free spirit, finds himself challenged when he meets Nicole (DeWanda Wise), a fiercely independent single mother who refuses to play by his rules. Meanwhile, Casey (Nicole Beharie), a dedicated gallery owner and Roger’s confidante, struggles to reconcile her own ambitions with the pressures of a shifting art scene. Together, they navigate the trials of friendship, romance, and identity in a city that’s always in motion.
What’s pretty remarkable about this film is not the story in and of itself, which to be quite frank is not extraordinary, but the performances of our three leads Holland, Wise, and Beharie. Roger is battling his emotions, navigating his way back and forth between his ex Casey and his current girlfriend Nicole — trying to figure out what he wants. The relationship with Nicole appears fresh, as we see that Nicole is recovering from the tragic loss of her husband and is still reeling from the pain of that loss. Meanwhile Roger’s relationship with Casey, albeit platonic and friendly, still has something special there. Roger and Casey savor the time they spend together, and it’s clear that the romance between these two never left.
Going back to what I found remarkable about Love, Brooklyn was the performances of the protagonists. I found it compelling that Holland was able to sustain this incredible chemistry with Beharie that was so palpable, yet his scenes with DeWanda Wise lacked any chemistry. And I believed wholeheartedly that this was intentional. Roger and Nicole are still trying to figure themselves out and that chemistry takes some time to build. Meanwhile Roger and Casey’s chemical makeup had been brewing for quite some time. This distinction between their relationship dynamics really stood out for me as I was watching their portrayals of these characters.
Holland, as always, gives his best on screen. Wise delivers an impeccable performance as a widow and a single mom trying to keep it all together, and Beharie is flawless as a free-spirited entrepreneur still trying to figure out what she wants. And that’s what it is, these three actors embody perfectly what these characters are struggling with — trying to figure out what they want at this stage of their life.
There are also some solid performances by actor Roy Wood Jr., who plays Alan, Roger’s friend, and Cassandra Freeman, who plays Lorna, Alan’s wife. Alan has his own internal battles with how he sees his relationship with his wife and that is explored in this story as well. Of course, Roy Wood Jr. being the comedian that he is, it is depicted in a humorous way.Â
Screenwriter Paul Zimmerman (who is white by the way) had some issues with dialogue that I felt didn’t connect with Black vernacular at times, and I just had a tiny little gripe with that listening to some scenes. Overall, I enjoyed and appreciated what the film’s message brought and the idea of it being a love letter to the city of Brooklyn. Holder definitely brings a nuanced eye and empathetic storytelling to this tender tale, crafting a narrative that is equal parts love story and cultural commentary.
Love, Brooklyn is a poignant celebration of life’s impermanence, the bonds that sustain us, and the unshakable connection between people and place. Through its heartfelt characters and vividly drawn setting, the film reminds us that even as cities evolve and relationships shift, the heart of what makes them special endures. With this triumphant debut, Holder establishes herself as a filmmaker with an extraordinary ability to balance humor, humanity, and the ever-shifting tides of day-to-day life.
Love, Brooklyn is currently playing at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, and is available stream online.
