BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN
Power corrupts. One homeowner fights back.
Should You Watch It?
BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN is a strong, persuasive documentary about government power used against an ordinary homeowner. Daniel Goldstein buys a Brooklyn condominium while preparing for his wedding, then learns the city plans to seize his property for a massive skyscraper and basketball arena complex for the New Jersey Nets.
The documentary offers valuable insight into government corruption, private development, eminent domain, and the cost to taxpayers. It also presents Daniel as an unlikely hero and a very unlikely free marketer. The film is engaging and important, though it sometimes wanders and includes irrelevant material instead of staying fully focused.
You should see it if you want a thought-provoking documentary about power, property, and corruption, while remembering its minor content concerns and uneven focus.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESGraphic designer Daniel Goldstein buys a condominium in Brooklyn in anticipation of his upcoming wedding. Then he discovers that the city has condemned the property around the Atlantic Boatyards for a massive development featuring skyscrapers and a basketball arena for the New Jersey Nets.
Daniel challenges the government’s use of eminent domain to take his home and give it to a private developer. Filmed over eight years, the documentary follows his fight against city officials and the developer.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a very good documentary that falls short of greatness. BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN is engaging, informative, and persuasive, with incredible insights into government corruption. Its long production process, using 500 hours of footage over eight years, gives the filmmakers substantial material.
The film’s main weakness is focus. It wanders at times and contains irrelevant material, failing to concentrate completely on its central premise. Even so, the filmmakers make a valuable and interesting documentary that exposes government power run amok.
The Worldview
BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN presents a strong moral, capitalist, free-market worldview. Its central concern is the misuse of government power: city officials and a private developer condemn homes, pursue an unnecessary and ill-conceived project, and use eminent domain to benefit private interests. The documentary argues that government corruption can harm ordinary people and waste taxpayer money.
The film follows a liberal who becomes an unlikely opponent of big government and an unlikely free marketer. Daniel pushes for another bidder who would pay fair market value and require less taxpayer funding, but the city chooses the higher-cost project. The documentary portrays corruption, graft, kickbacks, greed, lying, cheating, and defrauding people as serious wrongs, while rebuking them.
A biblical view agrees that corruption, deception, and greed are evil, but it does not treat government authority itself as the enemy. Scripture says, “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1). Government must therefore be judged by justice and righteousness, not merely by its power.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong moral, capitalist, free market worldview about a liberal who buys a condominium only to find the government has seized it by illegal eminent domain; five light obscenities; no violence; no sex scenes but some kissing; upper male nudity while shaving; alcohol use; smoking; and, corruption of government, lying, cheating, defrauding people but rebuked.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
What makes the government’s use of eminent domain unjust in Daniel’s case? How should authorities use power?
Micah 6:8 · Romans 13:1–4The film condemns corruption, lying, cheating, and greed. Why do these sins damage both individuals and communities?
Proverbs 11:1 · Luke 12:15Daniel fights for fair market value and less taxpayer funding. What responsibilities do citizens, developers, and public officials have toward one another?
Philippians 2:3–4 · Romans 12:17–18The Final Word
BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN is a very good, valuable documentary with an important warning about government power and corruption. It wanders, but its central argument remains engaging and persuasive. For an all-ages audience willing to discuss its minor content concerns, this documentary is WORTH THE TRIP.
