Review by John Delia
The sweet romantic drama Brooklyn features a charming performance by Saoirse Ronan that’s trance-like, captivating the viewer from scene one to finale. Much like former Oscar winning films A Room with a View and Howard’s End we are drawn into film by the era and the characters. Here it’s an fervent era as we follow a woman making a new life for herself. Targeted to a female audience late teens to mid-thirties, the film should have an impact on budding and revivifying women.
A young woman, Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) living in County Wexford Ireland gets a chance to move to America when her sister Rose (Fiona Glascott) connects with Father Flood (Jim Broadbent) a New York priest. There she finds a new life living in Mrs. Kehoe’s (Julie Walters) boarding house and working at Bartoccis Department Store. But, she has been longing for her mother, her sister and best friend Nancy back in Ireland.
Soon after, Eilis gets an offer of tuition from Father Flood to attend night school at Brooklyn College toward a degree in accounting. That plus her job at the department store makes her feel settled in her new country. Even her night life has begun with Eilis going out with one of the girls at the boarding house. One day she meets Tony, an Italian, at a church dance falling for his charm and good looks.
The film plays out with Eilis settling down in Brooklyn until she hears bad news from Ireland. Director John Crowley puts together a delightful 1950’s period piece while centering on the talents of Saoirse Ronan to bring old New York to the screen. Not getting overly complicated, Crowley shows Eilis’s journey with a soft touch romanticizing her life in the new country. He then throws a wrench into the gears and we find Eilis in a quandary, one that will bring her to a difficult decision.
Its Saoirse Ronan’s film, a performance that endears, captivates and provides dreams of a wonderful life. Women especially will be drawn to her character, watching intently as she plays out the role of the naive young Irish girl who finds love and a new life in a different environment. From her breakout performance in The Lovely Bones, to films like Hannah, Atonement and The Grand Budapest Hotel she has fascinated audiences with her bright acting ability and charming characters. It’s this role however that just may get her into the top five for another chance at an Oscar.
In support there are several actors that make the film memorable including Emory Cohen. Taking on the role of Tony a young Italian man who introduces himself to Eilis, then changes her life forever. Cohen and Ronan have a special chemistry and you feel the connection coming off the screen. His Tony is the personification of an Italian New Yorker who has put his shyness behind him and falls for this enchanting woman. He also takes a chance that his very Italian family of the 50’s will even accept the Irish woman he brings home to dinner.
The only downside for the men is that the film plays out very amicable with only a small measure of tragedy, gets sort of syrupy and over sentimental. Much like Breakfast at Tiffany’s this film could have actually been made in the 1950’s when audiences swooned during romance films. If males want to survive this one, laugh when appropriate and squeeze her hand when she grabs yours.
Brooklyn has been rated PG – 13 for a scene of sexuality and brief strong language. It’s a nice romantic film in the midst of a lot of adventure thrillers during this final push of 2015. But, a welcome one to which the ladies should aspire.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A sweet and memorable film. (B)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Emory Cohen, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, Jessica Pare, Eve Macklin, Brid Brennan, Fiona Glascott, Jane Brennan, Nora-Jane Noone, Jenn Murray, Eva Birthistle, Michael Zegen.
Directed by: John Crowley
Genre: Drama, Romance
MPAA Rating: Â PG – 13 for a scene of sexuality and brief strong language
Running Time: 1hr. 51 min.
Release Date: November 27, 2015
Distributed by: Fox Searchlight Pictures