ridiculous rating

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Brooklyn Babylon is Marc Levin's 2001 film about the African American and Jewish community in Brooklyn, N.Y. Set in Crown Heights, the story revolves around Sara, a young Jewish girl and Solomon, an African American aspiring to become a musician. After their cars collide in a sudden car accident, Sara and Solomon lock eyes and develop an instant connection. After their second encounter, the two begin to see each other and its not soon before long until their friends and family disapprove. Eventually violence between their friends ensues and it seems that the more these two fall in love, the harder it is to maintain their budding romance. Gradually, Solomon exposes Sara to a whole new world outside of her Jewish faith which forces her to question her beliefs. Over all, Brooklyn Babylon is a pretty solid movie. Although the film is somewhat cliché, it is still easy to watch. Instead of violence, the film could've had a break through with less violence and more camaraderie between the characters. Marc Levin highlights the cultural backgrounds of the characters in a very profound way. In addition, the acting of the two leads is fairly decent. Watch out for some good musical performances by the roots.

Of course it is Romeo and Julliet, but then so many movies and plays and books are Romeo and Julliet. It is a time honoured tradition to interpret a classic story. The leads in this film play star-crossed lovers in a very touching way. I must admit that there were a number of times in this movie where it felt "hollow" (like when the subject of a painting or a sketch isn't balanced out by the negative space) and I told myself that this movie was the working of a director who was still growing into a mature ability. Nonetheless I became involved with the characters: As protagonists, Sara, King Sol, and Don Ras; And as antagonists Judah and Sketch. Great work folks. There was only one scene that was much stronger than the rest of the movie and which had a very different feel from the rest of the film, and if you have seen this movie then you will be nodding your head with a smile.

I saw this last nite and while I enjoyed many of the performances and certain scenes I was left with nothing after I left the theatre.The whole movie was contrived and did not offer any solution or direction towards resolving the plot. The beginning fools you into believing the movie takes place in 1991 but according to Marc Levin, who spoke after the show alongside tariq trotter, the movie takes place in the present.I think Levin has no idea what he's doing. Give me that $4 million budget and I will bring a masterpiece the theatre.

I agree with the last reviewer that the best thing about this film is the fact that it features DA ROOOOOOTS!!! Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter stars as an up and coming MC of an organic hip hop band.... basically he does a fine job playing a character based on himself. Karen Goberman is also good as the female lead, although their relationship isn't very well written, which holds true for the writing as a whole. Everything about the film except for the performances feels contrived.... their relationship, the tension between the Black and Jewish communities that it's set against (even with the understanding that these tensions are very real). I'd like to see Tariq and The Roots working on other films.... hopefully next time they'll have a better script to work with.