A
film by an award-winning team is almost certain to be extraordinary, and Brooklyn easily achieves that
designation with the involvement of the director John Crowley, writer Nick
Hornby, musician Michael Brook, cinematographer Yves Belanger, and stars
Saoirse Ronin, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Emory Cohen, and Domhnall Gleeson. Brooklyn
is a beautiful film with heart, humor, drama, depth of character, and
substance.
It
tells the story once again about Irish immigrants settling in Brooklyn, New
York, and their experiences doing so both from an old country and new country
perspective. Eilis’ clear-sighted
sister realizes that she can make so much more of her life in New York, so
contacts Father Flood, a friend who lives there to sponsor Eilis and get her a
job in a department store. Rose is
a bookkeeper who can afford to pay for boat fare.
Eilis
is wide-eyed, having never been outside of Ireland, and has much to absorb; but
she is an eager learner who takes advantage of opportunities and the
willingness of her Irish community to show her the ropes. At first, of course, she is terribly
homesick; but after she meets charming (in the best sense of the word) Tony
(Cohen), achieves her bookkeeping certification, and is given a preferred room
in her boarding house by the colorful Mrs. Kehoe, things begin to look up, way
up. Before long, she is
madly in love. Alas, one day, she
receives devastating news from home that is a bitter reminder of how far away
she is from family and country.
Tony knows she needs to go back home, but voices his concern that she
might not return and secures an “anchor” that will reassure him.
When
Eilis returns to Ireland for the visit, she is taken aback by the sudden
opportunities there. First, she is
asked to take a temporary assignment at a company in desperate need after an
emergency vacancy, then she is introduced to eligible bachelor Jim (Gleeson)
and has an instant liking for him. Moreover, her mother clearly wants her to
stay in Ireland, and she becomes involved in a community project that has personal
meaning for her. She finds herself
in the dilemma of making a choice between two good alternatives, which can be
agonizing. Fortunately, someone
from her past who pops up unexpectedly will enable her to resolve her dilemma.
Brooklyn is a film so rich in its
quality you may want to see it again immediately. Director Crowley and writer Hornby have worked hand in hand
to achieve that magical balance between drama, comedy, and substance. The story moves in a way that keeps the
viewer continuously engaged for two hours. This would only be possible with the skills and charisma of
its star Saoirse Ronin (Atonement, Hanna,
The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Lovely
Bones), soulful and attractive Cohen, sharp-witted and sharp-tongued
Walters, and warmly intriguing Gleeson.
Cinematographer
Belanger is a master at using light, shadow, and reflection to inform a scene,
the most impressive to me in this film is when a character is receiving
crushing bad news, his tears fall, and glistening drops fall down over the
whole screen like snowflakes, giving eloquence to the tears. Another time, the light blinds as Eilis
goes out the immigration door onto the New York sidewalk, signifying her not
being able to see what’s ahead.
A film that pleases in just about every way. Captivating Ronin can reasonably expect
award nominations for her performance.
Grade: A By
Donna R. Copeland
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