The Landlord 2017

Elgar Enders, living on an allowance from his wealthy parents, buys an inner-city tenement in Park Slope, Brooklyn, a place undergoing gentrification. His plan is simple and self-centered: evict the long-time tenants to clear the way for a luxury home that fits his privileged tastes. Yet the moment he steps into the building, he encounters a world of life, struggle, and resilience among the residents, and something begins to shift inside him. Rather than pressing ahead with his original scheme, he grows compelled to stay on as the landlord and to use his resources to repair the aging structure and help the people who live there. This decision marks a rebellious turn away from his WASP upbringing, much to his parents’ dismay, and it sets the stage for a complicated romance.

He becomes involved with two black women, first forming a connection with Lanie, a mixed-race dancer at a local black club. Lanie’s background—with a mother of Irish descent and a father of African descent—gives her a lived experience of colorism, and this nuance influences their relationship in meaningful ways. As their bond develops, Elgar’s life becomes entangled with another tenant, Fanny Johnson, with whom he has an affair that leads to an unexpected pregnancy. Fanny’s husband Copee, a black activist wrestling with his own identity, reacts with anger and violence, briefly turning the story dark as he attacks Elgar with an axe before his restraint is secured.

While Fanny is recovering in the hospital, she confides in Elgar that she cannot raise the child alone and that Copee is returning home. She suggests the idea of giving the child up for adoption, but insists it should be to a white family in order to start a new life. The narrative reaches a turning point as Elgar confronts this prospect and ultimately makes a decision that changes everyone’s path. He steps forward to take custody of the child, works toward mending his relationship with Lanie, and makes a new life by moving in with her. The story closes on a note of personal transformation, tying together themes of community, responsibility, and the unlikely ways love and loyalty can redefine a life.