VIDEO: Alec Baldwin Teaches Ed Norton About Power in ‘Motherless Brooklyn’ Trailer

Bruce Willis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Willem Dafoe co-star in November's 1950s-set crime drama

August 23, 2019

A lonely private detective with Tourette Syndrome attempts to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend in the first trailer for “Motherless Brooklyn,” a 1950s-set crime drama starring Ed Norton, Bruce Willis, and Stern Show regular Alec Baldwin.

Written and directed by Norton, the film follows Lionel Essrog (Norton), an obsessive recluse who struggles to find his way in the world before developing an unlikely friendship with Frank Minna (Willis). But when Lionel’s screw up leads to Frank’s murder, the fledgling detective must venture out into the city on his own, partaking in a mystery that involves Harlem jazz clubs, Brooklyn slums, thugs, mobsters, and Moses Randolph (Baldwin)—New York City’s most powerful man.

“Do you have the first inkling how power works?” Alec’s character asks at one point in the trailer. “Power is knowing you can do whatever you want and not one person can stop you.”

Alec is of course no stranger to playing powerful New Yorkers who’ve openly bragged about the perks of being wealthy and influential—he even won an Emmy in 2017 for portraying President Trump on “Saturday Night Live.” The actor, upcoming Comedy Central celebrity roast victim, and repeat Stern Show guest discussed his recurring “SNL” role during his latest sit-down with Howard in March. He also spoke highly of “Motherless Brooklyn,” telling Howard that his co-stars—who also include Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Bobby Cannavale, and Willem Dafoe—are supremely talented and that Norton is a smart director. Watch a clip from Alec’s recent interview (below) in which he discusses working under another talented actor-turned-director, Robert De Niro.

“Motherless Brooklyn” premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival next month and opens in theaters on Nov. 1

You Give us your email Address we'll give you even more howard!

By signing up, I agree to receive newsletters and marketing emails from the Howard Stern Show and accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy