Director: John Crowley
Screenplay by Nick Hornby, based on the book by Colm Tóibín
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Domhnall Gleeson
Certificate: 12
As the winner of the BAFTA for ‘Best British Film’ and nominated for three Academy Awards, it’s clear that Brooklyn is a special film. Give it a chance and you’ll see exactly why I loved it.
Set in 1950s Ireland, Saoirse Ronan stars as young Irish woman Eilis, who is given the chance to move away from her tiny countryside village to the bustling streets of Brooklyn, New York. Once on dry land (after a very bumpy journey across the sea), Eilis bunks down in Mrs Kehoe’s (Walters) boarding house, alongside several other giddy, giggling girls. With the homesickness coming in on huge waves, Eilis struggles to fit into American life, until she meets handsome Italian boy Anthony ‘Tony’ Fiorello (Cohen). Swept up in young love, Eilis’ world is torn in two when she’s forced to return home to Ireland for a month, leaving Tony behind.
Once back, Eilis finds that things have moved on since she originally left, with her friends pairing off and getting married. When she’s invited out for the day, she meets Jim (Gleeson), a popular member of the community from a wealthy family. It’s clear they’re a perfect match, but where does Eilis’ heart lie? At home in Ireland, or back across the ocean?
Director John Crowley has gone above and beyond when shooting Brooklyn, making it sumptuous to watch, as if you’ve really travelled back to 50s New York. Its crisp, beautiful cinematography is hard to take your eyes off of, leaving you to soak in as much as you can before the next frame. Paired with a stunning soundtrack, it’s an immersive experience, something to be enjoyed and absorbed.
But what really makes Brooklyn worth it are the performances from the cast. Ronan is pure perfection, with the role of Eilis letting her really show her worth. Flitting between shyness, enthusiasm, heartbreak and joy, Saoirse is beautiful inside and out – if anything, watch it just for her. Emory Cohen as Tony is, again, a marvel to watch, with his smooth Brooklyn accent and gorgeous smile. Paired together, Ronan and Cohen are wonderful. Walters as the God-fearing, sarcastic Mrs Kehoe is hilarious, while Jim Broadbent plays the gentle Irish giant Father Flood, Eilis’ guiding light when she’s out afloat in NY.
Brooklyn is a tale of blossoming young love, and finding out that home isn’t always where you expect it to be. Highly recommended and very worthy of its numerous nominations.
Brooklyn is available on DVD and Blu-ray from Monday 29 February.
