Saiorse Ronan needs to be in more movies. She's an absolute delight, whatever she's in. Brooklyn is Ronan's finest 111 minutes to date. All the anguish, all the emotion she portrays, is seen through her eyes. Eilis (Ronan), is torn between two worlds: Ireland and America, missing her family back home and starting afresh halfway across the world in Brooklyn, New York. Events that occur only make it harder for Eilis. Emory Cohen's Tony sparks confidence in our out-of-sorts protagonist. Ronan's acting is so brazenly from the heart that I can't help but feel everything she feels, even during her hardest times. Special mention goes to Julie Walters who oversees the girls in the boarding house that Eilis resides. Brooklyn is an extraordinary watch due to class acting from all round. It's funny, clever and charming.
251 Reviews
Ronan owns this films, terrific performance
svenrufus1 November 2015
I was lucky enough to get tickets to a preview of Brooklyn last week, and in a rare change from the normal routine, I went into a film knowing absolutely nothing about it.
It was such a full house, that I ended up staring up at the screen from well outside my usual comfort zone at an awkward angle, too close to the screen, and away from my girlfriend which wasn't a great start, but once the film started I was quickly caught up in the magnificence of Saoirse Ronan's performance and forgot about any of those minor gripes.
Ronan owned this film, from first to last. The storyline itself is a somewhat thin and a follows a well-trodden path but Ronan gives it such heft, and brings the intensity of her character's experience and development full force such that any deficiencies of the story seem inconsequential. It was only after leaving the screening that I really looked back at some of the plot points and realised how contrived it had been in places, but for the time I was watching it, I was simply living it through the potency of the acting. Ronan was brilliant in this, and I struggle to think of any recent performances that can match this for the confidence and sure-footedness that she showed. I think she's in with a good shout for an award or two for this role.
It's worth mentioning Julie Waters as well, who reliably entertains and impresses in all she does. Between her and Saoirse Ronan, they made sure that Brooklyn passed the 6 laugh test – and also the 6 cry test. I laughed, and cried, and laughed as I was crying, and cried as I was laughing pretty much throughout the whole film. A thoroughly enjoyable film, where the central performance takes the audience on an engrossing and emotional trip through an otherwise somewhat slight storyline.
It was such a full house, that I ended up staring up at the screen from well outside my usual comfort zone at an awkward angle, too close to the screen, and away from my girlfriend which wasn't a great start, but once the film started I was quickly caught up in the magnificence of Saoirse Ronan's performance and forgot about any of those minor gripes.
Ronan owned this film, from first to last. The storyline itself is a somewhat thin and a follows a well-trodden path but Ronan gives it such heft, and brings the intensity of her character's experience and development full force such that any deficiencies of the story seem inconsequential. It was only after leaving the screening that I really looked back at some of the plot points and realised how contrived it had been in places, but for the time I was watching it, I was simply living it through the potency of the acting. Ronan was brilliant in this, and I struggle to think of any recent performances that can match this for the confidence and sure-footedness that she showed. I think she's in with a good shout for an award or two for this role.
It's worth mentioning Julie Waters as well, who reliably entertains and impresses in all she does. Between her and Saoirse Ronan, they made sure that Brooklyn passed the 6 laugh test – and also the 6 cry test. I laughed, and cried, and laughed as I was crying, and cried as I was laughing pretty much throughout the whole film. A thoroughly enjoyable film, where the central performance takes the audience on an engrossing and emotional trip through an otherwise somewhat slight storyline.
Everything a Nicholas Sparks Movie Wishes It Was
ClaytonDavis8 October 2015
Often movies have a magical quality as you're viewing them. Some will demand your undivided attention, others will hypnotize your senses, leaving them to simply wash over you with their exuberance and classic filmmaking procedures. In the case of John Crowley's "Brooklyn," the latter is certainly the case. There comes a moment in the film when you are taken in by the film's classic style filmmaking, and tenderly thought-provoking performances from its cast. Director Crowley, in partnership with Oscar-nominated scribe Nick Hornby, create a beautiful and sensitive love story that is everything a Nicholas Sparks film adaptation wishes it could be. With a vibrant turn from Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan at the helm, "Brooklyn" utilizes all of its tools in its arsenal to convey a potent message of love and family.
"Brooklyn" tells the story of Ellis Lacey (Ronan), who in 1950s Ireland and New York, has to choose between two men and two countries. One is the charismatic Italian plumber Tony (Emory Cohen) while the other is the reserved yet sensitive Jim Farrell (Domhnall Gleeson). Both are making a case for Ellis' love.
The film is helmed with a strong and undeniable confidence from Saoirse Ronan. Feeling the internal battle just pouring out of her in nearly every sense and every scene, Ronan finds Ellis' struggle and wears it on her sleeve. She doesn't just have fear of choice, she goes through a barrage of emotions, and we actively see the character progress in each milestone that she hits throughout. It begins with the yearning and devastating separation from her family in Ireland, before gradually being brought to a yearn for acceptance in a new city. Her mild but rewarding progression into comfort and confidence is shown before being abruptly ripped away when tragedy strikes. Every instance is felt in Ronan's work, all of which is authentically true and vivaciously real. It's one of her best turns, and further proof that her name will be on our lips for quite some years.
After breaking out with a scene-stealing turn in Derek Cianfrance's "The Place Beyond the Pines," Emory Cohen shows his sensitive and charming side of his range, resulting in an equally measured and tantalizing performance to his co-star. Don't sleep on this kid. Domhnall Gleeson's reservations to Jim Farrell is haunting in a role that doesn't call for many words or emotions. You can see the ache and pain in his movements, desperate for love and an overwhelming feeling of being lost. In a few scenes, Julie Walters as Mrs. Kehoe sustains as a surprisingly comic relief in a very serious drama. Her stoic, passive demeanor is such a treat to watch in her scenes of interaction with the girls of the boarding house in which Ellis is staying.
Screenwriter Nick Hornby constructs the story with real life emotion, taking very few short cuts for its characters. He allows Ellis' feelings to make the journey in each instance in which she faces them. The foundation of Tony and Ellis is honest, and rings true as something we'd see in any instance within our own lives. Where he really shines in the connection between Ellis and her family. Thousands of miles away, and with little interaction on screen, you are heartbroken and pulled through the ringer as Ronan exemplifies the loss of her family and determination to see them once again. If there is a chink in Hornby's armor, it's the case he creates for the audience for Ellis to stay in Ireland. Up until the second half of the film, Hornby makes his case for New York, I'd only wish he made a more compelling case for Ireland, giving the audience a more fruitful and difficult dilemma in making their own decision about where Ellis should be.
One must acknowledge how impeccably constructed the film is from head to toe. Crowley assembles a dynamite team behind the camera, who all standout in their own right. Cinematographer Yves Bélanger, with a yellow hue and soft palate, capture the country and the city to stunning results. He frames each scene intimately, capturing the heart and emotion of every word spoken. Production Designer François Séguin and Set Decorator Suzanne Cloutier capture the 50's homes as if plucked from the time period themselves, along with transporting us to a foreign land we can only dream to visit. Odile Dicks- Mireaux's magnetic costume work elevates each performance, allowing the actors to fully engage with their characters and the time. And finally, the music of Michael Brook is a breathtaking swell of emotion, creating moments that will surely bring you to tears.
"Brooklyn" is a damn fine movie, following all the classic beats that we've grown to love about the most timeless love stories. "Brooklyn" will join the ranks of those timeless stories in the coming years. It's a joyful and heart aching film that stands as one of the year's best, and a sure-fire contender for several Academy Awards.
Read more @ (http://www.awardscircuit.com)
"Brooklyn" tells the story of Ellis Lacey (Ronan), who in 1950s Ireland and New York, has to choose between two men and two countries. One is the charismatic Italian plumber Tony (Emory Cohen) while the other is the reserved yet sensitive Jim Farrell (Domhnall Gleeson). Both are making a case for Ellis' love.
The film is helmed with a strong and undeniable confidence from Saoirse Ronan. Feeling the internal battle just pouring out of her in nearly every sense and every scene, Ronan finds Ellis' struggle and wears it on her sleeve. She doesn't just have fear of choice, she goes through a barrage of emotions, and we actively see the character progress in each milestone that she hits throughout. It begins with the yearning and devastating separation from her family in Ireland, before gradually being brought to a yearn for acceptance in a new city. Her mild but rewarding progression into comfort and confidence is shown before being abruptly ripped away when tragedy strikes. Every instance is felt in Ronan's work, all of which is authentically true and vivaciously real. It's one of her best turns, and further proof that her name will be on our lips for quite some years.
After breaking out with a scene-stealing turn in Derek Cianfrance's "The Place Beyond the Pines," Emory Cohen shows his sensitive and charming side of his range, resulting in an equally measured and tantalizing performance to his co-star. Don't sleep on this kid. Domhnall Gleeson's reservations to Jim Farrell is haunting in a role that doesn't call for many words or emotions. You can see the ache and pain in his movements, desperate for love and an overwhelming feeling of being lost. In a few scenes, Julie Walters as Mrs. Kehoe sustains as a surprisingly comic relief in a very serious drama. Her stoic, passive demeanor is such a treat to watch in her scenes of interaction with the girls of the boarding house in which Ellis is staying.
Screenwriter Nick Hornby constructs the story with real life emotion, taking very few short cuts for its characters. He allows Ellis' feelings to make the journey in each instance in which she faces them. The foundation of Tony and Ellis is honest, and rings true as something we'd see in any instance within our own lives. Where he really shines in the connection between Ellis and her family. Thousands of miles away, and with little interaction on screen, you are heartbroken and pulled through the ringer as Ronan exemplifies the loss of her family and determination to see them once again. If there is a chink in Hornby's armor, it's the case he creates for the audience for Ellis to stay in Ireland. Up until the second half of the film, Hornby makes his case for New York, I'd only wish he made a more compelling case for Ireland, giving the audience a more fruitful and difficult dilemma in making their own decision about where Ellis should be.
One must acknowledge how impeccably constructed the film is from head to toe. Crowley assembles a dynamite team behind the camera, who all standout in their own right. Cinematographer Yves Bélanger, with a yellow hue and soft palate, capture the country and the city to stunning results. He frames each scene intimately, capturing the heart and emotion of every word spoken. Production Designer François Séguin and Set Decorator Suzanne Cloutier capture the 50's homes as if plucked from the time period themselves, along with transporting us to a foreign land we can only dream to visit. Odile Dicks- Mireaux's magnetic costume work elevates each performance, allowing the actors to fully engage with their characters and the time. And finally, the music of Michael Brook is a breathtaking swell of emotion, creating moments that will surely bring you to tears.
"Brooklyn" is a damn fine movie, following all the classic beats that we've grown to love about the most timeless love stories. "Brooklyn" will join the ranks of those timeless stories in the coming years. It's a joyful and heart aching film that stands as one of the year's best, and a sure-fire contender for several Academy Awards.
Read more @ (http://www.awardscircuit.com)
Brooklyn, U.S.A.
evanston_dad16 May 2016
"Brooklyn" is a gentle mist of a movie, and it's one of the most romantic I've seen in a long time.
Saoirse Ronan, in a luminous performance that gets better and better the more times you see it and the longer you think about it, plays Ellis, a young Irish woman who comes to New York in the early 1950s for the opportunities to live an independent life that her small-town Irish village won't give her. She has to deal with homesickness and the guilt of leaving behind an older sister who will have to single-handedly carry the burden of caring for their mother. The movie is about the conflict between a safe, comfortable life where everything may be dull but at least familiar; and a new one that may be a little scary but has the excitement of being of one's own choosing. The film is like life, and this conflict plays out as such things do in reality, quietly and internally. This isn't a movie of big dramatic moments, because life isn't a movie. Both of Ellis's options would give her at least a decent, comfortable life. But only one will allow her to feel that she's living her own life rather than one being lived for her by others.
The movie has an old Hollywood quality to it, and it's deeply romantic. It plays like a fairy tale if you took out everything magical but left the tone and sentiment. It's a really wonderful movie.
Grade: A
Saoirse Ronan, in a luminous performance that gets better and better the more times you see it and the longer you think about it, plays Ellis, a young Irish woman who comes to New York in the early 1950s for the opportunities to live an independent life that her small-town Irish village won't give her. She has to deal with homesickness and the guilt of leaving behind an older sister who will have to single-handedly carry the burden of caring for their mother. The movie is about the conflict between a safe, comfortable life where everything may be dull but at least familiar; and a new one that may be a little scary but has the excitement of being of one's own choosing. The film is like life, and this conflict plays out as such things do in reality, quietly and internally. This isn't a movie of big dramatic moments, because life isn't a movie. Both of Ellis's options would give her at least a decent, comfortable life. But only one will allow her to feel that she's living her own life rather than one being lived for her by others.
The movie has an old Hollywood quality to it, and it's deeply romantic. It plays like a fairy tale if you took out everything magical but left the tone and sentiment. It's a really wonderful movie.
Grade: A
What a great film can do to a seemingly ordinary character
Arit2 October 2015
Brooklyn is a film about Eilis, who crosses the Atlantic to America in the 1950s. She is a mildly career-motivated young Irish woman who is handed a dream opportunity without ever asking for it. Contrary to what typical immigrant protagonists are like, she neither really works her way up to success nor once finds herself in a life-and-death situation. Rather, this film shows us that a woman of just a usual background can tell an important story that is surprisingly relevant to us all.
The main contributor to that surprise is the lead actress, Saoirse Ronan, who plays her role meticulously while also constantly owning the tone of the film. Her delicate and sincere portrayal makes all Eilis's issues, however selfish or insignificant they may seem at first, materialize in your mind, and makes you hope that her pain will somehow ease. Already a one-time Oscar nominee, Ronan reaffirms her acting strength with this exceptional performance. Of all emerging young adult lead actresses, she is likely the most charismatic one in 5 years since Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone.
From start to finish, Eilis feels just like a girl-next-door. That homey feeling extends to Emory Cohen's Tony, an Italian plumber she meets in the New World. With their small height difference, she almost towers over him in her shoes as they stroll outside, which, helped by their natural chemistry, gives them the authenticity of a couple that you might actually know in real life, as opposed to one of Hollywood's ideal.
This film is a remedy for anyone who is losing faith in good filmmaking. It is a splendid reminder that you can tell a great story without resorting to excessive twists and effects. With the remarkable performances from the entire cast, there is hardly a dull minute in the film, and it only gets more interesting towards the end. Speaking of the end, Eilis's tips to a new immigrant she meets at the end still hold very true today. They are not only the best advice that you could ever hear from anyone, but also evidence that America is and has always been the land of opportunity.
The main contributor to that surprise is the lead actress, Saoirse Ronan, who plays her role meticulously while also constantly owning the tone of the film. Her delicate and sincere portrayal makes all Eilis's issues, however selfish or insignificant they may seem at first, materialize in your mind, and makes you hope that her pain will somehow ease. Already a one-time Oscar nominee, Ronan reaffirms her acting strength with this exceptional performance. Of all emerging young adult lead actresses, she is likely the most charismatic one in 5 years since Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone.
From start to finish, Eilis feels just like a girl-next-door. That homey feeling extends to Emory Cohen's Tony, an Italian plumber she meets in the New World. With their small height difference, she almost towers over him in her shoes as they stroll outside, which, helped by their natural chemistry, gives them the authenticity of a couple that you might actually know in real life, as opposed to one of Hollywood's ideal.
This film is a remedy for anyone who is losing faith in good filmmaking. It is a splendid reminder that you can tell a great story without resorting to excessive twists and effects. With the remarkable performances from the entire cast, there is hardly a dull minute in the film, and it only gets more interesting towards the end. Speaking of the end, Eilis's tips to a new immigrant she meets at the end still hold very true today. They are not only the best advice that you could ever hear from anyone, but also evidence that America is and has always been the land of opportunity.
A Beautiful, Beautiful Film!
namashi_127 December 2015
Based on Colm Tóibín's novel of the same name, 'Brooklyn' is A Beautiful, Beautiful Film! A heartwarming tale about Love, Loss & Relationships. And a Knock-Out Performance by Saoirse Ronan is always welcome.
'Brooklyn' Synopsis: An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a new romance. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.
'Brooklyn' is a simple film, told magnificently. Its superior film in all respects. Nick Hornby's Adapted Screenplay captures the Protagonist's coming-of-age tale, with dignity & pathos. I was arrested by the flow of the narrative. John Crowley's Direction is excellent. Cinematography & Editing are sharp, while the Art & Costume Design are fabulous. Michael Brook's Score works.
Performance-Wise: Saoirse Ronan is in great form. The talented actress delivers a Knock-Out Performance as the naive & lovable protagonist. This is the kind of performance awards were invented for. Giving her terrific support are Emory Cohen & Domhnall Gleeson, who enact the men in her lives, proficiently. The Ever-Compelling Jim Broadbent shines in a brief role.
On the whole, 'Brooklyn' is a true winner. Don't miss it!
'Brooklyn' Synopsis: An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a new romance. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.
'Brooklyn' is a simple film, told magnificently. Its superior film in all respects. Nick Hornby's Adapted Screenplay captures the Protagonist's coming-of-age tale, with dignity & pathos. I was arrested by the flow of the narrative. John Crowley's Direction is excellent. Cinematography & Editing are sharp, while the Art & Costume Design are fabulous. Michael Brook's Score works.
Performance-Wise: Saoirse Ronan is in great form. The talented actress delivers a Knock-Out Performance as the naive & lovable protagonist. This is the kind of performance awards were invented for. Giving her terrific support are Emory Cohen & Domhnall Gleeson, who enact the men in her lives, proficiently. The Ever-Compelling Jim Broadbent shines in a brief role.
On the whole, 'Brooklyn' is a true winner. Don't miss it!
A Film in Which the Protagonist has no actual problems
davejones19 December 2015
I had little empathy for the heroine of this story because she has almost no obstacles to overcome. Okay, she's got a cranky boss. Fortunately, her sister has saved up enough money to send her to America--where the parish priest has already found accommodation for her. And, where everybody is nice to her. And where a sincere, kind and handsome man courts her and proposes marriage. Oh, and the parish priest pays for her schooling. And she breezes through her exams because she's smart as a whip.
Then, about halfway through the movie, tragedy strikes. But it's an event so sudden and so far away that there's really nothing our heroine can--or is expected to--do anything about it. So while it's sad and unfortunate, it's nothing she can act on.
Phew! For a moment there, I thought our protagonist might actually have to do something besides accept the next kind offer of assistance.
Returning to Ireland, she's courted by considerate, handsome fella #2. But to make matters worse. . . she's offered a high-paying office job--doing the very thing she aced all her exams in! Will the tribulations of this woman never end? For a while, I was afraid she might win the lottery.
The worst thing to happen to her is that she gets seasick and is locked out of the head. SHE HAS TO USE A BUCKET. Oh, the humanity! Someone should have told the screenwriter that this is an insufficient problem to build a drama around.
Then, about halfway through the movie, tragedy strikes. But it's an event so sudden and so far away that there's really nothing our heroine can--or is expected to--do anything about it. So while it's sad and unfortunate, it's nothing she can act on.
Phew! For a moment there, I thought our protagonist might actually have to do something besides accept the next kind offer of assistance.
Returning to Ireland, she's courted by considerate, handsome fella #2. But to make matters worse. . . she's offered a high-paying office job--doing the very thing she aced all her exams in! Will the tribulations of this woman never end? For a while, I was afraid she might win the lottery.
The worst thing to happen to her is that she gets seasick and is locked out of the head. SHE HAS TO USE A BUCKET. Oh, the humanity! Someone should have told the screenwriter that this is an insufficient problem to build a drama around.
One of the best films you will see this year.
MOscarbradley18 November 2015
Brian Friel's "Philadelphia, Here I Come" is still the great fictional work of the last 50 years or so to deal with the Irish Diaspora but Colm Toibin's "Brooklyn" runs it a close second. Sadly, the only film version of Friel's play was a somewhat dull affair, part of the American Film Theatre series. It preserved a great play but it wasn't much of a film, whereas John Crowley's screen version of Toibin's novel is as close to perfect as we are likely to get. It preserves the feel of the book, (thanks to a flawless adaptation by Nick Hornby), but this is also a real film; large, expansive, magical and one of the best films you are likely to see this year.
It's the story of one young girl's awakening, to the world and to herself. She's Eilis and at the start of the film she is moving from her home town of Enniscorthy in Ireland's County Wexford to Brooklyn, a world away on the other side of the Atlantic. She goes at the behest of her sister, Rose so she might have a life that might otherwise be denied her back in Ireland. Homesick at first, she finally finds happiness with a hugely likable and very handsome Italian boy until a family tragedy forces her to return to Ireland.
It's a simple tale, made complex by conflicting emotions and a welter of detail. It's funny and sad and bursting with life. Brooklyn is a place of happiness and giving; Enniscorthy a place of sadness and resentment, though on Eilis' return, a fuller and more confident woman, it too offers the potential for happiness in the form of a new job and, more crucially, a new boyfriend. This return also offers a quandary; should she stay or return to Brooklyn, as well as an ending more tinged with sadness than might appear on the surface.
Nothing about this wonderful film can be faulted, (except perhaps the appalling trailer that's doing the rounds). The period detail is superb, beautifully captured in Yves Belanger's gorgeous cinematography, (the costumes are crucial and they are perfect). Here is a period piece, (it's set in 1952), that could have been made in the year in which it's set and the director, John Crowley, imbues it with great feeling.
Best of all, it's superlatively acted down to the smallest part. Roles that are basically clichés, (the kindly landlady in the US, the parish priest, the bitchy shopkeeper back in Ireland), are beautifully fleshed out by Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and Brid Brennan. Still smaller parts, (the girls Eilis encounters on her journey, the Italian boy's family, her mother and sister), are all fully developed by a brilliant cast but it's the three central performances that are truly great and award-worthy.
As the boys who basically change Eilis' life, in one way or another, Emory Cohen in America and Domhnall Gleeson in Ireland, are terrific. Cohen, (a much more handsome, young Rod Steiger), has a real future ahead of him while Gleeson is fast overtaking his father as Ireland's finest actor. And then there is Saoirse Ronan as Eilis; the greatness of her performance lies in as much in what she's not doing or saying as in what she does. She has one of the most expressive faces in the movies and it's in the moments of silence that she really comes into her own and it's one of the great pleasures of recent cinema watching her character develop. Surely she must be a front-runner at this year's Oscars. This is a film both for now and for posterity. See it at all costs.
It's the story of one young girl's awakening, to the world and to herself. She's Eilis and at the start of the film she is moving from her home town of Enniscorthy in Ireland's County Wexford to Brooklyn, a world away on the other side of the Atlantic. She goes at the behest of her sister, Rose so she might have a life that might otherwise be denied her back in Ireland. Homesick at first, she finally finds happiness with a hugely likable and very handsome Italian boy until a family tragedy forces her to return to Ireland.
It's a simple tale, made complex by conflicting emotions and a welter of detail. It's funny and sad and bursting with life. Brooklyn is a place of happiness and giving; Enniscorthy a place of sadness and resentment, though on Eilis' return, a fuller and more confident woman, it too offers the potential for happiness in the form of a new job and, more crucially, a new boyfriend. This return also offers a quandary; should she stay or return to Brooklyn, as well as an ending more tinged with sadness than might appear on the surface.
Nothing about this wonderful film can be faulted, (except perhaps the appalling trailer that's doing the rounds). The period detail is superb, beautifully captured in Yves Belanger's gorgeous cinematography, (the costumes are crucial and they are perfect). Here is a period piece, (it's set in 1952), that could have been made in the year in which it's set and the director, John Crowley, imbues it with great feeling.
Best of all, it's superlatively acted down to the smallest part. Roles that are basically clichés, (the kindly landlady in the US, the parish priest, the bitchy shopkeeper back in Ireland), are beautifully fleshed out by Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and Brid Brennan. Still smaller parts, (the girls Eilis encounters on her journey, the Italian boy's family, her mother and sister), are all fully developed by a brilliant cast but it's the three central performances that are truly great and award-worthy.
As the boys who basically change Eilis' life, in one way or another, Emory Cohen in America and Domhnall Gleeson in Ireland, are terrific. Cohen, (a much more handsome, young Rod Steiger), has a real future ahead of him while Gleeson is fast overtaking his father as Ireland's finest actor. And then there is Saoirse Ronan as Eilis; the greatness of her performance lies in as much in what she's not doing or saying as in what she does. She has one of the most expressive faces in the movies and it's in the moments of silence that she really comes into her own and it's one of the great pleasures of recent cinema watching her character develop. Surely she must be a front-runner at this year's Oscars. This is a film both for now and for posterity. See it at all costs.
Sweet but clumsy and contrived
grantss19 November 2016
Ireland, early-1950s. Eilis Lacey is a young woman working in a grocery shop. She has greater ambitions and moves to Brooklyn, New York, leaving her mother and sister, Rose, behind. She is terribly homesick but eventually settles down, finding a job, studying to be a bookkeeper and meeting a nice young man, Tony. Things are going well but then she learns that Rose has died, and decides to return to Ireland, temporarily. She and Tony hastily get married and then she sets off back to Ireland, alone. Life is about to complicated...
Sweet film, but not anywhere near as profound as it takes itself. The set up was good and Eilis's finding happiness in New York was quite heart-warming.
The warmness and sweetness of the first half of the movie was enhanced by a wonderful performance by Saoirse Ronan. She imbues Eilis with great vulnerability, self-reliance, sweetness and likability.
However, the warmth and potential of the first half is mostly negated by the second half. Here the plot gets clumsy and contrived. A secret that shouldn't have been a secret and an implausible love triangle become the main plot devices of the second half. Instead of being engaged by Eilis's new-found happiness mixed with tragedy we have a convoluted, implausible soap opera unfolding.
Ending was reasonably emotional, but the Ireland sojourn definitely took the shine off the movie.
Sweet film, but not anywhere near as profound as it takes itself. The set up was good and Eilis's finding happiness in New York was quite heart-warming.
The warmness and sweetness of the first half of the movie was enhanced by a wonderful performance by Saoirse Ronan. She imbues Eilis with great vulnerability, self-reliance, sweetness and likability.
However, the warmth and potential of the first half is mostly negated by the second half. Here the plot gets clumsy and contrived. A secret that shouldn't have been a secret and an implausible love triangle become the main plot devices of the second half. Instead of being engaged by Eilis's new-found happiness mixed with tragedy we have a convoluted, implausible soap opera unfolding.
Ending was reasonably emotional, but the Ireland sojourn definitely took the shine off the movie.
Radiant; Saoirse Ronan is Spectacular
Blue-Grotto29 November 2015
Looming skyscrapers in a distant land, the kindness of strangers, love and hope for a better life; such things open the eyes of Eilis, a smart and insular immigrant to 1950s Brooklyn, to opportunities she did not have in the Irish countryside. While at first lonely and homesick in this new cityscape, Eilis is soon enthralled with the bright possibilities, encouraged by all she is learning and charmed by the people she meets. She breaks free from her shell and shines in this radiant, unfamiliar realm. Returning to Ireland for what she hopes is a brief stay, Eilis both sees through and is seen in a luminous and different light. Both worlds, New York and her Irish home, now pull the new and improved Eilis in different directions.
Saoirse Ronan is spectacular in her performance as Eilis. She really makes this Sundance hit come alive. It is comforting, as always, to see a film that does not depend on explosions, computer graphics and alien contagions to entertain. There is a deeper pleasure here, one that pulls at mind, spirit, body and heart together. Visuals, story, organization, acting, intriguing characters and more, all come together well.
Saoirse Ronan is spectacular in her performance as Eilis. She really makes this Sundance hit come alive. It is comforting, as always, to see a film that does not depend on explosions, computer graphics and alien contagions to entertain. There is a deeper pleasure here, one that pulls at mind, spirit, body and heart together. Visuals, story, organization, acting, intriguing characters and more, all come together well.
This is (Potentially) an award winning film?
jack-fitzpatrick18 February 2016
In all honesty, this is a good movie. I mean, it was well put together, it had an OK story and I'll even say that I did enjoy some of it.
But the fact of the matter is that objectively Brooklyn is nothing special. The story has been told, the characters have existed and the relationships have been played out. It's a fine movie that I enjoyed well enough but I simply don't understand the love for it. With multiple nominations (Damn, I'm discussing it again) Brooklyn really does steal the show from other – more deserving titles.
But hey, film taste is a matter of opinion Let me explain mine. Let me start off by saying that this movie is basically what you expect. Seen the posters? Seen the trailer? You know what this is. It's not a big surprise and it won't blow you away. If you're into it, you're into it If you're not, you're not. So considering this I will clearly state that this movie was not made for people like me. I probably don't quite hit that demographic in the slightest. But as I said, film is subjective, And I saw it anyway.
As a consistent period piece, the film follows a young woman from Ireland as she makes her move to the bigger and busier city of Brooklyn. (Duh) The contrast between settings and lifestyles of 1950s Ireland and America is heavily implied and exposed throughout the film, and this is where Brooklyn succeeds. The simplicity and familiarity yet boringness and lack of opportunity at home compared to the intimidation of a big new city filled with many new faces is quite a staggering difference. From the colour palette on screen to the general aesthetic, Brooklyn visually demonstrations an obvious comparison. We see this through the eyes of our protagonist; Eilis. Paired up with the pressure of new responsibilities and a lack of experience, Eilis is in the middle of a relatable situation. We've all been 'The new guy,' in one way or another and the film presents this in a realistic way; We feel what she feels, as she learns to live this new life style and deals with life's general hurdles. The character development of Eilis is clear and realistic, and we grow with her throughout the film.
Another strong suit of this film is the relationship between Eilis and her new found boyfriend Tony. Tony is easily the most likable character in the film (In a film full of lifeless human-mannequins) He's charming, ambitious and clearly loyal. In the end however, Tony truly represents the city of Brooklyn to Eilis and thus to us. We do root for these characters, however the drama which effects them is completely blown out of proportion and comes off as totally exaggerated.
Tony and Eilis however, are just about the only interesting characters in the film. Everybody else feels as if they're not really people living their own lives but these personality-less beings that weave in and out of the story. Even Domhnall Gleeson's (Who I'm recently a fan of) character is boring. We pretend as an audience to care about the people Eilis cares about, but in the end these people are side characters that we never really get to know; They don't really stand out and don't have much to do. They're dreary and sometimes downright unlikable despite the actors' best efforts. The acting in the film is something to pay attention to if anything, it's at times rather melodramatic and 'soap opera-y' however mostly keeps low-key and realistic. There are not too many cliché 'Oscar worthy' moments here, but rather the film managed to keep restraint and never went over the top in terms of acting.
Themes of 'leaving the nest,' and being a young adult can be a relatable story, and it's here where the film keeps most interesting. I enjoyed seeing Saoirse Ronan play an awkward inexperienced young person in almost comedic fashion as well as her interactions with Emory Cohen's (I didn't have to google that or anything) character Tony. In this way, the film could often at times be surprisingly funny. Moments of comedy are hidden between the cracks of the films mechanical like drama.
However, the film fails to really be about anything - Not much happens in Brooklyn and there's not much beyond that to say about it. This is where the film falls hardest. We witness characters speaking to each other, going from point A to point B scene after scene. Perhaps stories such as this are better left in written form, because as a film, Brooklyn is a bit of an eventless drought.
The film is extremely slow, and in the end mostly uneventful. It comes off as a bit pretentious. This isn't a movie strictly for intellectuals and it's not a movie that will be all that remembered as a classic. It's an alright movie though, that you may or may not enjoy, may or may not see in cinemas and may or may not care about at all. It's in no way terrible, but also doesn't come close to amazing either. It's enjoyable enough to give it a watch if you're interested and even surprisingly funny and relatable.
6.5/10
But the fact of the matter is that objectively Brooklyn is nothing special. The story has been told, the characters have existed and the relationships have been played out. It's a fine movie that I enjoyed well enough but I simply don't understand the love for it. With multiple nominations (Damn, I'm discussing it again) Brooklyn really does steal the show from other – more deserving titles.
But hey, film taste is a matter of opinion Let me explain mine. Let me start off by saying that this movie is basically what you expect. Seen the posters? Seen the trailer? You know what this is. It's not a big surprise and it won't blow you away. If you're into it, you're into it If you're not, you're not. So considering this I will clearly state that this movie was not made for people like me. I probably don't quite hit that demographic in the slightest. But as I said, film is subjective, And I saw it anyway.
As a consistent period piece, the film follows a young woman from Ireland as she makes her move to the bigger and busier city of Brooklyn. (Duh) The contrast between settings and lifestyles of 1950s Ireland and America is heavily implied and exposed throughout the film, and this is where Brooklyn succeeds. The simplicity and familiarity yet boringness and lack of opportunity at home compared to the intimidation of a big new city filled with many new faces is quite a staggering difference. From the colour palette on screen to the general aesthetic, Brooklyn visually demonstrations an obvious comparison. We see this through the eyes of our protagonist; Eilis. Paired up with the pressure of new responsibilities and a lack of experience, Eilis is in the middle of a relatable situation. We've all been 'The new guy,' in one way or another and the film presents this in a realistic way; We feel what she feels, as she learns to live this new life style and deals with life's general hurdles. The character development of Eilis is clear and realistic, and we grow with her throughout the film.
Another strong suit of this film is the relationship between Eilis and her new found boyfriend Tony. Tony is easily the most likable character in the film (In a film full of lifeless human-mannequins) He's charming, ambitious and clearly loyal. In the end however, Tony truly represents the city of Brooklyn to Eilis and thus to us. We do root for these characters, however the drama which effects them is completely blown out of proportion and comes off as totally exaggerated.
Tony and Eilis however, are just about the only interesting characters in the film. Everybody else feels as if they're not really people living their own lives but these personality-less beings that weave in and out of the story. Even Domhnall Gleeson's (Who I'm recently a fan of) character is boring. We pretend as an audience to care about the people Eilis cares about, but in the end these people are side characters that we never really get to know; They don't really stand out and don't have much to do. They're dreary and sometimes downright unlikable despite the actors' best efforts. The acting in the film is something to pay attention to if anything, it's at times rather melodramatic and 'soap opera-y' however mostly keeps low-key and realistic. There are not too many cliché 'Oscar worthy' moments here, but rather the film managed to keep restraint and never went over the top in terms of acting.
Themes of 'leaving the nest,' and being a young adult can be a relatable story, and it's here where the film keeps most interesting. I enjoyed seeing Saoirse Ronan play an awkward inexperienced young person in almost comedic fashion as well as her interactions with Emory Cohen's (I didn't have to google that or anything) character Tony. In this way, the film could often at times be surprisingly funny. Moments of comedy are hidden between the cracks of the films mechanical like drama.
However, the film fails to really be about anything - Not much happens in Brooklyn and there's not much beyond that to say about it. This is where the film falls hardest. We witness characters speaking to each other, going from point A to point B scene after scene. Perhaps stories such as this are better left in written form, because as a film, Brooklyn is a bit of an eventless drought.
The film is extremely slow, and in the end mostly uneventful. It comes off as a bit pretentious. This isn't a movie strictly for intellectuals and it's not a movie that will be all that remembered as a classic. It's an alright movie though, that you may or may not enjoy, may or may not see in cinemas and may or may not care about at all. It's in no way terrible, but also doesn't come close to amazing either. It's enjoyable enough to give it a watch if you're interested and even surprisingly funny and relatable.
6.5/10
Exquisite
lisacarlson5027 March 2016
Two-time Academy Award Nominee Saoirse Ronan is as extraordinary as she is beautiful in Brooklyn. Set in the 1950s a young Irish woman is torn between her homeland and the United States. Her character has ambition and romance on her mind. She's strong and smart. The cast here maybe mostly unrecognizable but is superb. Especially handsome Emory Cohen who plays Tony. It's about family, respect, hard work, the things we love, ambition and most of all romantic love. It is a treasure trove of a movie about the the things we value most in life. It's perfect for a Sunday afternoon and brings enchantment. If only there were more movies like this one.
Tale of Two Cities
GManfred19 November 2015
Sweet little love story of an Irish lass who comes to America circa 1950. She leaves her home in Enniscorthy (Co. Wexford) and comes to seek fame and fortune - and maybe a 'fella' - in Brooklyn. Subsequent events draw her back to Enniscorthy, and then back to Brooklyn. In between we come to know Eilis (pronounced Ailish) Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) quite well because it is her picture, and she is in nearly every scene. She changes from a homesick immigrant to a self-assured woman in the course of the picture, and Ronan's characterization is terrific.
Along the way she meets Tony Fiorello, played by Emory Cohen in a role apparently underplayed so as not to upstage the main character. He comes from a big Italian family but is not a stereotypical Italian; he is barely audible and very subdued. Perhaps the best and most humorous scenes take place at dinnertime in Mrs. Kehoe's boarding house for Irish immigrant girls. Played by Julie Walters, she rides herd on her catty boarders and uses religious metaphors to put them in their place.
"Brooklyn" is a movie for grown-ups, an independent film in a sea of Hollywood schlock. It is a likable movie with a lot of heart and solid acting down to the smallest role. It is not a sprawling saga but a nice little movie, and I have only sketched a few instances. Many reviewers summarize the whole picture, but the overall tenor of the picture gives the moviegoer a rooting interest and a sense of the resiliency of the human spirit, as well as an illustration of the innate decency and goodness of Eilis Lacey.
P.S. Those hoping to see scenes of Brooklyn neighborhoods will be disappointed; the picture was filmed in Canada and Ireland.
Along the way she meets Tony Fiorello, played by Emory Cohen in a role apparently underplayed so as not to upstage the main character. He comes from a big Italian family but is not a stereotypical Italian; he is barely audible and very subdued. Perhaps the best and most humorous scenes take place at dinnertime in Mrs. Kehoe's boarding house for Irish immigrant girls. Played by Julie Walters, she rides herd on her catty boarders and uses religious metaphors to put them in their place.
"Brooklyn" is a movie for grown-ups, an independent film in a sea of Hollywood schlock. It is a likable movie with a lot of heart and solid acting down to the smallest role. It is not a sprawling saga but a nice little movie, and I have only sketched a few instances. Many reviewers summarize the whole picture, but the overall tenor of the picture gives the moviegoer a rooting interest and a sense of the resiliency of the human spirit, as well as an illustration of the innate decency and goodness of Eilis Lacey.
P.S. Those hoping to see scenes of Brooklyn neighborhoods will be disappointed; the picture was filmed in Canada and Ireland.
Just a brilliant movie that beautifully shows the struggles of life
clarkmak20 March 2016
I watched this movie for the first time a few days ago while on a plane traveling from Ireland to Australia after my first visit to the country to say goodbye to my best friend who had passed away.
Needless to say I was an absolute mess but at the same time it gave me so much comfort to hear that beautiful Irish accent and yes the emotional connection now to the movie will mean this review is ridiculously bias.
Brooklyn is a film that has so many elements that relate to so many people around the world and not just Ireland. There's a story about living abroad and finding your place in the world which so many of us have gone through as well as issues about self discovery and growing up, death and grief while tangled in this beautiful world of love and romance.
There are so many elements to this movie that it's really a testament to the beautiful novel written by Colm Toibin and the very brave and brilliant screenplay adapted by Nick Hornby that was able to translate the messages from the novel to the screen. Combine that with the vision of John Crowley and the Oscar worthy performance by the breathtaking Saoirse Ronan, and you just have this brilliant and amazing heart warming movie.
This team didn't just do Ireland proud. They just did proud period. Great work everyone that worked on this film.
Needless to say I was an absolute mess but at the same time it gave me so much comfort to hear that beautiful Irish accent and yes the emotional connection now to the movie will mean this review is ridiculously bias.
Brooklyn is a film that has so many elements that relate to so many people around the world and not just Ireland. There's a story about living abroad and finding your place in the world which so many of us have gone through as well as issues about self discovery and growing up, death and grief while tangled in this beautiful world of love and romance.
There are so many elements to this movie that it's really a testament to the beautiful novel written by Colm Toibin and the very brave and brilliant screenplay adapted by Nick Hornby that was able to translate the messages from the novel to the screen. Combine that with the vision of John Crowley and the Oscar worthy performance by the breathtaking Saoirse Ronan, and you just have this brilliant and amazing heart warming movie.
This team didn't just do Ireland proud. They just did proud period. Great work everyone that worked on this film.
Italians in the film
eddiecatone23 October 2019
As an Italian I can say that the Italians in this film don't look at all Italian, especially Ronan's love interest.
Scrolling the cast they haven't got Italian surnames.
One little kid has an Italian surname, he uses Italian gestures but not in the right way.
They drink milk at the table. No Italian would ever dream of drinking milk at the table.
My point is that if you get Irish (or British) actors to play the Irish you might as well get Italian-Americans to play the Italians. If you do things do them right...
No, not a film about Beckham Jnr.
bob-the-movie-man11 November 2015
When the older generation talk about them "not making films like that anymore", this should be the film they go and see. This is a film that will appeal greatly to the "Marigold Hotel" set, and from the audience mix in the well-attended Tuesday night screening I attended, that message is getting out there.
Saoirse Ronan plays Eilis, a teenage girl growing up in Ireland's County Wexford with her older sister and widowed mother in the early 1950's. Short on opportunities for a decent life, she is sponsored into a new city and a new job by Father Flood (Jim Broadbent), a friend in the New York clergy. Desperately homesick, we follow her trials and tribulations as she eventually settles into her new life through the love of a good (albeit sometimes un-favourably smelling) young man (an impressive Emory Cohen). Torn between her family duty at home in Ireland, where lurks another beau in the form of Domhnall Gleeson ("Ex Machina", "About Time"), Eilis is caught in a love triangle with a 5,000 km hypotenuse.
Ronan is mesmeric in the role of Eilis. Most famous for her dramatic role in the much-underrated adventure film "Hanna", and more recently in last year's superb "Grand Budapest Hotel", here she has to carry a demanding starring role and she does so with great skill.
The supporting cast are also excellent, with Jane Brennan in particular turning in a heartbreaking performance as Eilis's mother (albeit, I felt, in one of the more two-dimensionally scripted roles in the film). Also of particular note is national treasure Julie Walters, hilarious as the landlady Mrs Kehoe coming out with some cracking dialogue, and Jenn Murray (set to appear in Potter spin-off "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them") as the kookie and man-hungry new guest-house arrival who is a sheer comic delight to watch.
The script is by Nick Hornby ("About a Boy"), based on the novel by Colm Tóibín, and zips along pleasantly with only the occasional missed step (there was one line in particular that reeked of cheese).
The director is John Crowley, but credit should also go to the technical team that makes the US scenes just glow with nostalgia. The cinematography of Yves Bélanger ("Wild", "Dallas Buyers Club") is exquisite, especially in the more romantic scenes with Ronan wearing rich red costumes (by Odile Dicks-Mireaux). And the set decoration and special effects make scenes such as the ones at Coney Island very effective without having to break a (presumably) limited budget. All in all, this is a film that, if there is any justice in the world, I would love to see feature prominently in the Oscar art categories.
With some bittersweet twists and beautifully shot, this is a fill-em (to use the Irish vernacular) that should appeal to a broad audience looking for a romantic story well told on the big screen. By the way, imho the trailer gives too much of the plot away so I would recommend avoiding.
(A graphical version of this review is available at bob-the-movie- man.com).
Saoirse Ronan plays Eilis, a teenage girl growing up in Ireland's County Wexford with her older sister and widowed mother in the early 1950's. Short on opportunities for a decent life, she is sponsored into a new city and a new job by Father Flood (Jim Broadbent), a friend in the New York clergy. Desperately homesick, we follow her trials and tribulations as she eventually settles into her new life through the love of a good (albeit sometimes un-favourably smelling) young man (an impressive Emory Cohen). Torn between her family duty at home in Ireland, where lurks another beau in the form of Domhnall Gleeson ("Ex Machina", "About Time"), Eilis is caught in a love triangle with a 5,000 km hypotenuse.
Ronan is mesmeric in the role of Eilis. Most famous for her dramatic role in the much-underrated adventure film "Hanna", and more recently in last year's superb "Grand Budapest Hotel", here she has to carry a demanding starring role and she does so with great skill.
The supporting cast are also excellent, with Jane Brennan in particular turning in a heartbreaking performance as Eilis's mother (albeit, I felt, in one of the more two-dimensionally scripted roles in the film). Also of particular note is national treasure Julie Walters, hilarious as the landlady Mrs Kehoe coming out with some cracking dialogue, and Jenn Murray (set to appear in Potter spin-off "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them") as the kookie and man-hungry new guest-house arrival who is a sheer comic delight to watch.
The script is by Nick Hornby ("About a Boy"), based on the novel by Colm Tóibín, and zips along pleasantly with only the occasional missed step (there was one line in particular that reeked of cheese).
The director is John Crowley, but credit should also go to the technical team that makes the US scenes just glow with nostalgia. The cinematography of Yves Bélanger ("Wild", "Dallas Buyers Club") is exquisite, especially in the more romantic scenes with Ronan wearing rich red costumes (by Odile Dicks-Mireaux). And the set decoration and special effects make scenes such as the ones at Coney Island very effective without having to break a (presumably) limited budget. All in all, this is a film that, if there is any justice in the world, I would love to see feature prominently in the Oscar art categories.
With some bittersweet twists and beautifully shot, this is a fill-em (to use the Irish vernacular) that should appeal to a broad audience looking for a romantic story well told on the big screen. By the way, imho the trailer gives too much of the plot away so I would recommend avoiding.
(A graphical version of this review is available at bob-the-movie- man.com).
simple, touching story
PandoraProductions426 September 2015
Enjoy this movie for what it is. A simple girl meets boy story, with impeccable acting and luxurious cinematography.
True, it's not the highest budget film ever, and so we never really see 1950's Brooklyn. Most the shots of it are in shallow focus, or at night. Personally, I would have liked the movie to have been more grand in scope, especially since it's lovely orchestral score suggested something more akin to an epic historical, but all the shots are fairly closeup.
Maybe that was the point. It's a very personal story.
Saoirse Ronan, once again turns in a great performance. She is completely believable, and hits all the right notes.
The chemistry between her and her love interests doesn't sizzle as well as it could have with better casting on their end, but it doesn't detract from the overall film.
Some scenes seem a little melodramatic and overdone: (like when she steps through the gleaming doorway into America for the first time, and also there are some unnecessary slow motion scenes).
But, in the end, Brooklyn is a charming tale.
True, it's not the highest budget film ever, and so we never really see 1950's Brooklyn. Most the shots of it are in shallow focus, or at night. Personally, I would have liked the movie to have been more grand in scope, especially since it's lovely orchestral score suggested something more akin to an epic historical, but all the shots are fairly closeup.
Maybe that was the point. It's a very personal story.
Saoirse Ronan, once again turns in a great performance. She is completely believable, and hits all the right notes.
The chemistry between her and her love interests doesn't sizzle as well as it could have with better casting on their end, but it doesn't detract from the overall film.
Some scenes seem a little melodramatic and overdone: (like when she steps through the gleaming doorway into America for the first time, and also there are some unnecessary slow motion scenes).
But, in the end, Brooklyn is a charming tale.
Wonderful movie
aniko-stos12 August 2021
This is an unashamedly old fashioned and romantic drama.
Artless_Dodger20 March 2016
A beautifully realised adaptation of Colm Tóibín's classic novel. Saoirse Ronan plays Eilis Lacey, an Irish girl leaving home for a brighter future in 1950's New York.
It's a charming film, with the beautiful Ronan giving a polished and emotive performance. Father Flood (a kindly Jim Broadbent) has placed Eilis in the boarding house of Ma Kehoe (Julie Walters playing amusingly to type, but with an Irish accent). Home sick, Eilis meets Italian-American Tony (Emory Cohen) and they fall in love. She slowly blossoms, but then tragedy strikes and she has to return home, where she finds herself unexpectedly receiving the attention of Jim (Domhnall Gleeson).
Torn between the excitement of an uncertain future with Tony and a safe alternative with Jim, Eilish is eventually forced to make a decision.
This is an unashamedly old fashioned and romantic drama. Beautifully shot and expertly played, particularly by the lovely Saoirse Ronan, this tale has emotional impact and you will find yourself caring about Eilish and her life.
It's a charming film, with the beautiful Ronan giving a polished and emotive performance. Father Flood (a kindly Jim Broadbent) has placed Eilis in the boarding house of Ma Kehoe (Julie Walters playing amusingly to type, but with an Irish accent). Home sick, Eilis meets Italian-American Tony (Emory Cohen) and they fall in love. She slowly blossoms, but then tragedy strikes and she has to return home, where she finds herself unexpectedly receiving the attention of Jim (Domhnall Gleeson).
Torn between the excitement of an uncertain future with Tony and a safe alternative with Jim, Eilish is eventually forced to make a decision.
This is an unashamedly old fashioned and romantic drama. Beautifully shot and expertly played, particularly by the lovely Saoirse Ronan, this tale has emotional impact and you will find yourself caring about Eilish and her life.
Brimming With Universal Themes, Brooklyn Doubles As A Heartfelt Love Story & A Compelling Coming-Of-Age Drama
CinemaClown18 January 2016
Crafted with care, told with elegance & resonating a deep sense of warmth throughout its runtime, Brooklyn is the story of an immigrant that beautifully illustrates the struggles faced when trying to adjust in a new environment with people you don't know & places you aren't familiar with, and not only does it work as a wonderful coming-of-age drama but also succeeds as a pleasant love story.
Based on the novel of the same name, the story of Brooklyn takes place during the early 1950s and follows a young Irish immigrant who leaves her hometown to seek a better future in the titular town of New York where, after struggling for a while, she manages to bring some stability in her life. But when an unexpected tragedy strikes back home, she's forced to confront her past and make a hard choice.
Directed by John Crowley, the plot is divided into three segments with the first one focusing on her inexperience & the difficult time she endures during her initial days in the new country. The second segment covers her life in Brooklyn and the different things she experiences there while the last one brings her back to the place she went away from where circumstances compel her to make a decision that will alter her life.
Written by Nick Hornby, the movie tackles the issues faced by immigrants in a lightweight manner plus the characters are quite compelling. The set pieces are reminiscent of the timeline it tries to depict, Cinematography uses different colour tones for each segment and its bright lighting keeps the ambiance more inviting. Editing unravels the plot in a controlled way and pace is never hurried. Plus, all the period drama elements are nicely handled.
Coming to the performances, Brooklyn packs a fine cast in Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters & others, and all of them are convincing in their given roles. Effortlessly stealing the show is Ronan who carries the whole film all by herself plus her excellent performance is this flick's real highlight. Cohen & Gleeson chip in with fine supporting work while Walters is a treat to watch even if her appearance is quite brief.
On an overall scale, Brooklyn is a heartwarming, captivating & fulfilling movie that's as much about growing up & finding your identity in life as it is about love & relationships, is powered by a strong lead performance from Saoirse Ronan, and addresses its universal themes in a sensible manner. Expertly directed, deftly written, exquisitely photographed, patiently edited, consistently paced & aptly scored, Brooklyn is one of the better films of 2015 and is definitely worth a shot.
Based on the novel of the same name, the story of Brooklyn takes place during the early 1950s and follows a young Irish immigrant who leaves her hometown to seek a better future in the titular town of New York where, after struggling for a while, she manages to bring some stability in her life. But when an unexpected tragedy strikes back home, she's forced to confront her past and make a hard choice.
Directed by John Crowley, the plot is divided into three segments with the first one focusing on her inexperience & the difficult time she endures during her initial days in the new country. The second segment covers her life in Brooklyn and the different things she experiences there while the last one brings her back to the place she went away from where circumstances compel her to make a decision that will alter her life.
Written by Nick Hornby, the movie tackles the issues faced by immigrants in a lightweight manner plus the characters are quite compelling. The set pieces are reminiscent of the timeline it tries to depict, Cinematography uses different colour tones for each segment and its bright lighting keeps the ambiance more inviting. Editing unravels the plot in a controlled way and pace is never hurried. Plus, all the period drama elements are nicely handled.
Coming to the performances, Brooklyn packs a fine cast in Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters & others, and all of them are convincing in their given roles. Effortlessly stealing the show is Ronan who carries the whole film all by herself plus her excellent performance is this flick's real highlight. Cohen & Gleeson chip in with fine supporting work while Walters is a treat to watch even if her appearance is quite brief.
On an overall scale, Brooklyn is a heartwarming, captivating & fulfilling movie that's as much about growing up & finding your identity in life as it is about love & relationships, is powered by a strong lead performance from Saoirse Ronan, and addresses its universal themes in a sensible manner. Expertly directed, deftly written, exquisitely photographed, patiently edited, consistently paced & aptly scored, Brooklyn is one of the better films of 2015 and is definitely worth a shot.
A Truly Gorgeous Film
joshuafagan-6421420 August 2016
It is rare that a film fills a hole I didn't know existed.
Brooklyn is a period romance about a woman, Ellis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), who immigrates from Ireland to the United States in the 1950's. It is also one of the best films of what turned out to be a fantastic year for cinema.
When I think of immigration from Ireland, I think of the 1840's and 1850's, during the Great Potato Famine, or else I think of the turn of the century, the high point for immigration of all sorts. But the eras that have been passed over by popular culture are not empty shells. They have stories to tell. This film is one of the very best of these stories.
Above all, it is a lovely film. It is not bold or brash or glitzy or any other quintessentially American attribute, but it is a quintessentially American film. I do not mean it is the sort of film that could only be made in America by Americans, but rather that it is the sort of the film that exemplifies what my country is, at its best, about: growth, opportunity, resilience, desire.
Nevertheless, it is far too complex and beautiful of a film to be adequately summed up by a few buzz words. The filmmaking craft is top-notch. There are shots in this film that are framed like paintings, such as the first shot of the film- Ellis' home and street- and the first shot of New York City, with the Empire State Building glimmering in the distance.
The character work is even better. I hate most movie romances because they feel contrived and tacked on. At no point do they feel necessary or important. This is a shame, because a great romance evokes passions, dreams, fears, and wishes that nothing else can. Great romance can be big and boisterous or soft and subtle, but it has to be intimate and potent, a secret shared between the two lovers. By those measures, this is one of the best romances in the history of art, and I do not say this likely.
There is a love triangle, but it is natural, gripping, and very non-petty. Ellis behaves in a reasonable way, her actions filled with her personality and her evolving mental state. A bad love triangle plays out like The Bachelor. A great love triangle plays out like a boat navigating two shores. Ellis is not just caught between two guys. She is caught between two different lives, two different ideals, two different dreams.
The best films all feel unique, like it could only be made at one place and one time but one team. While this film is in many ways a throwback to an earlier era, offering a feel, an environment, and a story that had been left behind by the passage of time, it is its own production. It shows the past as it could only be viewed from not just a present, but this present, by these people.
It is not obvious or obtuse, but gentle and subtle, a welcome change in the era of towering blockbusters meant to be seen exactly one time by tens of millions of people. Most films nowadays are like a roller-coaster- you get on, get twisted around for a while, get off, eat, and move on. This film feels like love, how appropriate, considering it is a romance. You're immediately drawn in. You want to know more, to dive deeper. Eventually, you fall in head first and are overjoyed about it. When it ends, you are crestfallen, but you know the memories you have formed will stay with you until eternity.
Saorise Ronan stands out among a collection of talented actors and actresses delivering some of the best performances of their lives. I want to see more of her. I want her to make more roles come alive. She has the right blend of fierce and sensitive. Though she (wrongfully) did not get an Oscar for her role, I have no doubt she will receive one in the future. I do, however, doubt that she will be as good as she is here. This role fits her perfectly.
As a film critic, I am often disappointed when writing my reviews. I want to share with you, my audience, the feeling a film gave me. But that is impossible. A film, despite only normally being between an hour and a half and three hours, is a combination of the work of hundreds or even thousands of people over often years. The best a critic can do is try to capture the essence of that feeling, but even that is hard to do. Art is about emotions, and while emotions can be explained, they cannot be translated. I could talk to you about what happiness feels like, but I can't make you feel happy by doing that.
Brooklyn is a period romance about a woman, Ellis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), who immigrates from Ireland to the United States in the 1950's. It is also one of the best films of what turned out to be a fantastic year for cinema.
When I think of immigration from Ireland, I think of the 1840's and 1850's, during the Great Potato Famine, or else I think of the turn of the century, the high point for immigration of all sorts. But the eras that have been passed over by popular culture are not empty shells. They have stories to tell. This film is one of the very best of these stories.
Above all, it is a lovely film. It is not bold or brash or glitzy or any other quintessentially American attribute, but it is a quintessentially American film. I do not mean it is the sort of film that could only be made in America by Americans, but rather that it is the sort of the film that exemplifies what my country is, at its best, about: growth, opportunity, resilience, desire.
Nevertheless, it is far too complex and beautiful of a film to be adequately summed up by a few buzz words. The filmmaking craft is top-notch. There are shots in this film that are framed like paintings, such as the first shot of the film- Ellis' home and street- and the first shot of New York City, with the Empire State Building glimmering in the distance.
The character work is even better. I hate most movie romances because they feel contrived and tacked on. At no point do they feel necessary or important. This is a shame, because a great romance evokes passions, dreams, fears, and wishes that nothing else can. Great romance can be big and boisterous or soft and subtle, but it has to be intimate and potent, a secret shared between the two lovers. By those measures, this is one of the best romances in the history of art, and I do not say this likely.
There is a love triangle, but it is natural, gripping, and very non-petty. Ellis behaves in a reasonable way, her actions filled with her personality and her evolving mental state. A bad love triangle plays out like The Bachelor. A great love triangle plays out like a boat navigating two shores. Ellis is not just caught between two guys. She is caught between two different lives, two different ideals, two different dreams.
The best films all feel unique, like it could only be made at one place and one time but one team. While this film is in many ways a throwback to an earlier era, offering a feel, an environment, and a story that had been left behind by the passage of time, it is its own production. It shows the past as it could only be viewed from not just a present, but this present, by these people.
It is not obvious or obtuse, but gentle and subtle, a welcome change in the era of towering blockbusters meant to be seen exactly one time by tens of millions of people. Most films nowadays are like a roller-coaster- you get on, get twisted around for a while, get off, eat, and move on. This film feels like love, how appropriate, considering it is a romance. You're immediately drawn in. You want to know more, to dive deeper. Eventually, you fall in head first and are overjoyed about it. When it ends, you are crestfallen, but you know the memories you have formed will stay with you until eternity.
Saorise Ronan stands out among a collection of talented actors and actresses delivering some of the best performances of their lives. I want to see more of her. I want her to make more roles come alive. She has the right blend of fierce and sensitive. Though she (wrongfully) did not get an Oscar for her role, I have no doubt she will receive one in the future. I do, however, doubt that she will be as good as she is here. This role fits her perfectly.
As a film critic, I am often disappointed when writing my reviews. I want to share with you, my audience, the feeling a film gave me. But that is impossible. A film, despite only normally being between an hour and a half and three hours, is a combination of the work of hundreds or even thousands of people over often years. The best a critic can do is try to capture the essence of that feeling, but even that is hard to do. Art is about emotions, and while emotions can be explained, they cannot be translated. I could talk to you about what happiness feels like, but I can't make you feel happy by doing that.
Absolutely wonderful
themadmovieman8 November 2015
Well, if you're ever feeling down, and you want a film that's both properly good and absolutely lovely, Brooklyn is the one to go for. With a wonderful romance story and a delightful central performance, there's so much to smile about here, whilst there's also still a lot of interesting drama to make this a thoroughly engaging watch.
The plot revolves around Eilis, a young woman from a small Irish village, who is sent out to Brooklyn by her sister in the hope of finding a better life, and despite the hope it promises, she starts off extremely homesick and confused in this new world.
However, this film manages to an expert job at blending the emotional drama of being homesick and leaving your own country forever with a hugely upbeat and positive atmosphere.
A lot of that positivity comes down to Saoirse Ronan's fantastic performance as Eilis. She holds the dramatic side of the character very well, and shows off her conflicted feelings in some of the more emotional parts fantastically, but the most outstanding thing is how she makes Eilis such an infectiously adorable person.
The way she speaks, her mannerisms and the dialogue that she's given by the writers all come together to make this central character someone that you really do like, and it's impossible to discredit how valuable that is when it comes to making an engaging story.
This film isn't the fastest-paced or most action-packed, nor is it the heaviest on emotional and romantic drama, it is generally a pretty by-the-numbers fluffy period romance. And normally, that's the sort of stuff that you'd want to shy away from, but the acting and writing here come together to make such a captivating story about a woman finding herself and settling as an independent person in life. And achieving that, without being cheesy or preachy, is no mean feat.
There are points in this film that don't quite pack the dramatic punch that you'd maybe like, and that could have yielded a potentially more compelling story, but there's still no denying that the balance that this film strikes between drama and pleasant, easy-going viewing is pretty much perfect.
The plot revolves around Eilis, a young woman from a small Irish village, who is sent out to Brooklyn by her sister in the hope of finding a better life, and despite the hope it promises, she starts off extremely homesick and confused in this new world.
However, this film manages to an expert job at blending the emotional drama of being homesick and leaving your own country forever with a hugely upbeat and positive atmosphere.
A lot of that positivity comes down to Saoirse Ronan's fantastic performance as Eilis. She holds the dramatic side of the character very well, and shows off her conflicted feelings in some of the more emotional parts fantastically, but the most outstanding thing is how she makes Eilis such an infectiously adorable person.
The way she speaks, her mannerisms and the dialogue that she's given by the writers all come together to make this central character someone that you really do like, and it's impossible to discredit how valuable that is when it comes to making an engaging story.
This film isn't the fastest-paced or most action-packed, nor is it the heaviest on emotional and romantic drama, it is generally a pretty by-the-numbers fluffy period romance. And normally, that's the sort of stuff that you'd want to shy away from, but the acting and writing here come together to make such a captivating story about a woman finding herself and settling as an independent person in life. And achieving that, without being cheesy or preachy, is no mean feat.
There are points in this film that don't quite pack the dramatic punch that you'd maybe like, and that could have yielded a potentially more compelling story, but there's still no denying that the balance that this film strikes between drama and pleasant, easy-going viewing is pretty much perfect.
Vintage Hollywood, classy, stylish and heartfelt
NateWatchesCoolMovies15 February 2016
Brooklyn is gorgeous old world esque Hollywood romance, cut from the same cloth as the tearful charmers of the 40's and 50's. It's also got some of the most lived in, authentic looking production design I've ever seen, efforts that it the filmmakers should be very proud of. Saoirse Ronan's intuitive, doe eyed acting style meshes perfectly with the material here, in the role of Eilis, a young Irish immigrant girl in the bustling spectacle of New York City for the first time. To go from a quaint, removed town in tiny Ireland to such a gigantic, populated environment is quite the culture shock indeed, and Ronan infuses this into her work nicely. She arrives with no friends, no family, under the sponsorship of a kindly priest (A relaxed Jim Broadbent, always welcome), boarding with a mother hen of a woman (Mrs. Weasle- I mean Julie Walters) and the other mischievous girls under her care. The scenes of them at the dinner table are packed with dry, well written girly banter and are a joy to watch. One day, as she must, she meets a boy in the form of blue collar Italian American Tony (Emory Cohen), and the two immediately have attraction that the film carefully, sparingly kindles with humble character development and realistic interaction. When tragedy calls her back to Ireland, their relationship is put to the test, and she beautifully comes to terms with lessons and trials which befall all girls and boys at such an age. The title of the movie is very fitting; the amount of painstaking care that has gone into bringing the setting and time period to life is staggering, from cars, costumes and architecture to the linguistic cadence that people used back then. Truly an immersive technical achievement, which when combined with the stellar performances and direction make a well rounded film in all areas.
A great movie from a so-so book.
Mobithailand27 March 2016
Those of you who have read my review of Colm Tóibín's book will know that I didn't think much of it. I think I described it as a lightweight piece of fluff that didn't draw me in as there is so little dialogue.
So I really wasn't expecting much from the movie – especially when a friend told me he hated it.
How wrong could I be?
It turned out to be a blessing in disguise that the book had so little dialogue in it as it afforded Nick Hornby 'carte blanche' to write the screenplay in his own way – and what a wonderful job he made of it!
Almost from the opening credits, I knew I was watching a quality movie. It immediately drew me in, much as the book had driven me away. Amazingly, there were very few changes from the original story, although, as always, they cut some of it out. The ending was so subtly changed, that you can't really call it a change, but it made a world of difference to the enjoyment of the story.
Brooklyn was made by people at the very top of their game.
The great cinematography, the expert direction, the sparkling dialogue, the music, the costumes, the sets I could go on and on. Brooklyn is what movie making is all about.
Set in the early 1950's it relates the story of a girl in her early twenties from rural Ireland who immigrates to Brooklyn. A job is awaiting her, arranged by an Irish Catholic Priest. Her struggles to adapt to her new life, her romantic liaisons both in Brooklyn and back in Ireland, form the backbone of the tale.
Saoirse Ronan, who plays the lead part of Eilis Lacey, is a wonder to behold. Almost single-handedly she holds the film together and is rarely out of shot. She is truly a towering presence who commands our enraptured attention. The supporting cast is also pretty good, including the great Julie Waters who plays the owner of the Brooklyn boarding house where Eilis lives, and the redoubtable Jim Broadbent, who plays Father Flood.
The film magically captures the spirit of the time and you really feel that you have been transported back to rural Ireland and bustling Brooklyn in an age when morals and social behaviour were so different to what they are today.
A lightweight story it may be, but the producers saw a gem in Tóibín's tale that has turned his book into a magnificent film.
Tóibín is a very lucky man.
So I really wasn't expecting much from the movie – especially when a friend told me he hated it.
How wrong could I be?
It turned out to be a blessing in disguise that the book had so little dialogue in it as it afforded Nick Hornby 'carte blanche' to write the screenplay in his own way – and what a wonderful job he made of it!
Almost from the opening credits, I knew I was watching a quality movie. It immediately drew me in, much as the book had driven me away. Amazingly, there were very few changes from the original story, although, as always, they cut some of it out. The ending was so subtly changed, that you can't really call it a change, but it made a world of difference to the enjoyment of the story.
Brooklyn was made by people at the very top of their game.
The great cinematography, the expert direction, the sparkling dialogue, the music, the costumes, the sets I could go on and on. Brooklyn is what movie making is all about.
Set in the early 1950's it relates the story of a girl in her early twenties from rural Ireland who immigrates to Brooklyn. A job is awaiting her, arranged by an Irish Catholic Priest. Her struggles to adapt to her new life, her romantic liaisons both in Brooklyn and back in Ireland, form the backbone of the tale.
Saoirse Ronan, who plays the lead part of Eilis Lacey, is a wonder to behold. Almost single-handedly she holds the film together and is rarely out of shot. She is truly a towering presence who commands our enraptured attention. The supporting cast is also pretty good, including the great Julie Waters who plays the owner of the Brooklyn boarding house where Eilis lives, and the redoubtable Jim Broadbent, who plays Father Flood.
The film magically captures the spirit of the time and you really feel that you have been transported back to rural Ireland and bustling Brooklyn in an age when morals and social behaviour were so different to what they are today.
A lightweight story it may be, but the producers saw a gem in Tóibín's tale that has turned his book into a magnificent film.
Tóibín is a very lucky man.
Beautiful Brooklyn
Sabarella17 February 2016
Such a beautiful film from start to finish.
I wasn't familiar with the book so didn't know what to expect but I wasn't disappointed at all. It was filled with endearing, witty, and emotional moments. The change of colour throughout the film reflected EIlis's storyline and the whole thing just had me gripped, the characters, the 50s and the setting of New York. I've recently bought the book and can't wait to read it and then re-watch the film, I think it's one of those that I'll watch over and over. Also a big Domhnall Gleeson fan as well as his work is so impressive at the moment and it was lovely to see him being Irish!
All around beautiful film, highly recommended.
I wasn't familiar with the book so didn't know what to expect but I wasn't disappointed at all. It was filled with endearing, witty, and emotional moments. The change of colour throughout the film reflected EIlis's storyline and the whole thing just had me gripped, the characters, the 50s and the setting of New York. I've recently bought the book and can't wait to read it and then re-watch the film, I think it's one of those that I'll watch over and over. Also a big Domhnall Gleeson fan as well as his work is so impressive at the moment and it was lovely to see him being Irish!
All around beautiful film, highly recommended.
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