Brooklyn
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, and Domhnall Gleeson
Directed by: John Crowley
Rated: PG-13
The familiarity of home or the excitement of a new life? That is the question that Brooklyn asks its protagonist to confront in a beautiful, poignant love story.
In 1950's Ireland, Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) immigrates to America in hope of a better life. After acclimating to America, Eilis gets a job, enrolls in school, and develops a relationship with a sweet Italian-American named Tony (Emory Cohen). A sudden event calls her back home where she is forced to choose between her new life in Brooklyn or her old life in Ireland.
Saoirse Ronan (Atonement,The Grand Budapest Hotel) is wonderful as Eilis. She manages to take the audience on an emotional journey. As her life in America begins, we see a distraught, homesick Eilis longing for the comforts of her old life. However, as she gets a job, enrolls in school, and meets Tony: we see a joyful Eilis adapting to her surroundings.
The film does an excellent job of portraying Eilis' struggle between America and Ireland. When first traveling to America, she is unsure. She's leaving behind the only home she's ever known. After building a life in America, she gets pulled back to Ireland. After arriving in Ireland, she begins to settle back into the surroundings of her home life. She becomes torn between her old and new life.
Emory Cohen (The Place Beyond the Pines) is excellent as Tony. Tony meets Eilis at a dance and the two immediately connect. He is sweet, charming, and charismatic. Tony and Eilis' scenes are so full of life. It's genuinely delightful to watch their relationship grow. They exchange caring glances, witty comments, and a real concern for one another. Tony is in the running for best male character of 2015. (I love Tony and you will too after seeing Brooklyn)
Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, Ex Machina) plays Jim, a man Eilis meets when she goes back to Ireland. He presents a challenge on whether or not she will go back to Tony. Jim is a kind, wealthy man who represents the safety of Eilis' old life. He causes Eilis to think about her situation and the audience to think deeper about the story.
This is a beautiful film. The cinematography by Yves Bélanger is absolutely gorgeous. Every shot is intricately designed and fits beautifully into the story. The color scheme is dazzling. The 1950's setting is utilized perfectly and transports you to the time period.
With immigration stories, it's easy to think that the life of the immigrant improves profoundly after becoming an American citizen. That may be true, but we easily forget that they are leaving their culture, life, and commonly, their family. Brooklyn gives us a first-hand look at the wide spectrum of emotions an Irish immigrant would have dealt with in a realistic way.
I can truthfully say that Brooklyn is one of the best films I've seen this year. I was compelled by the story the entire time. The romantic elements don't feel cliché. The lead actors are cast perfectly. It's stylistically magnificent. This is excellent cinema that combines the right amount of romance, drama, and humor.
With Oscar season just around the corner, Brooklyn looks like a real contender. Don't miss it this Holiday season.
My Rating: 10/10