Last Exit to Brooklyn

Set in the mid-1950s, Last Exit to Brooklyn offers an unsparingly grim yet truthfully poignant depiction of life in Brooklyn's harsh Red Hook neighborhood of New York. The film, based on the critically acclaimed novel by Hubert Selby Jr., captures the essence of a blue-collar community struggling with dire economic challenges, caught in a relentless cycle of crime, addiction, and social decay, yet pulsing with a vital and complex human spirit.

The narrative intertwines several storylines, each articulating different facets of a neighborhood characterized by high unemployment, union unrest, and moral bankruptcy. The principal among these narratives involves Jennifer Jason Leigh's unforgettable character, "Tralala." Leigh delivers a gutsy and convincing performance as a self-destructive streetwalker locked in a frantic and fervid search for love and validation in all the wrong places. Leigh's Tralala is desperate, damaged, and volatile; yet, there is a wrenching vulnerability that makes her one of the most compelling characters of the film.

Stephen Lang portrays Harry Black, a macho, volatile, and troubled union leader who finds himself in a whirlwind of personal chaos after coming to terms with his suppressed homosexuality. Harry's story serves as one of the film's main narrative threads, providing a raw and honest exploration of self-identity and acceptance, conflicting with societal norms of masculinity and sexuality of that time. Lang’s performance is deeply nuanced, fraught with inner conflict that is both thrilling and startling to watch.

Burt Young plays Big Joe, a hardworking dock worker struggling to provide for his family while his naïve daughter engages in a relationship with a local hoodlum, which becomes another important subplot of the film. His character’s struggle adds another layer to the overall narrative, reinforcing the theme of the harsh reality of the Brooklyn neighborhood.

The ensemble supporting cast significantly elevates Last Exit to Brooklyn. Characters such as Georgette (Alexis Arquette), a transvestite who's utterly in love with a local hoodlum, and Donna (Ricki Lake), Big Joe’s free-spirited daughter who’s captivated by a dangerous local thug, breathe life into the gritty atmosphere of the film. They add more narrative layers, exploring themes such as unrequited love, innocence lost, and the allure of danger.

Director Uli Edel painstakingly recreates the grimy, post-industrial landscape of 1950s Brooklyn. Edel uses this desolate backdrop to frame a stark social realism that encapsulates the spirit of the blue-collar community. The imagery of grungy, bricked buildings, narrow alleyways, dimly lit bars, and bustling docks presents a visually arresting, atmospheric portrayal of Brooklyn, capturing the essence of despair and desperation of the times.

The storytelling is deeply engaging, filled with richly drawn characters reflecting the intricate, diverse nature of the community. The film’s tone manages to be discomforting yet resonates unmatched empathy. It’s genuinely humane, never leaning towards exploitative or caricatured representations.

Accompanied by a sparse, melancholic score by celebrated German composer Mark Knopfler, the film establishes an overriding mood of melancholy that complements its narrative perfectly.

Last Exit to Brooklyn might be anchored in a specific time and place, but its exploration of universal themes such as struggle, love, ambition, acceptance, and human fragility renders it timeless. The movie serves as a bleak portrait of the human condition through characters who, despite their flaws and often reprehensible actions, succeed in eliciting empathy due to the complexity and authenticity of their portrayals.

In closing, Last Exit to Brooklyn is a hauntingly realistic film which offers a heart-wrenching, unpasteurized glimpse into a neighborhood grappling with the harsh realities of life. The performances are stellar across the board, with transformative roles by Jennifer Jason Leigh, Stephen Lang, and Burt Young. Aided by a strong script, atmospheric set design, a haunting musical score, and tactful direction, Last Exit to Brooklyn is a visceral, enthralling cinematic experience that remains resonant and impactful. It’s a film that, though set in a bygone era, carries an emotional weight that transcends the decades since its release.