Brooklyn

Of late we've seen a plethora of films based on a true story or person, so it actually excites me to see and review a film that is based on a novel--strictly fiction. I thought Hollywood had forgotten how to make movies fictionally based until I saw "Brooklyn". Showing the intricacies of life in the big city as immigrants embark on the U.S. during the 1950's, was both touching and entertaining.

A young Irish immigrant, Ellis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) lands in 1950's Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a new romance with Tony (Emory Cohen). When her past catches up with her, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exists within.
This tells the profoundly moving story of Ellis being lured by the promise of America, so much so, that she departs Ireland and the comfort of her mother's home and her supportive sister, Rose (Fiona Glascott) for the shores of New York City. The initial shackles of homesickness quickly diminish when she meets Tony and falls into the intoxicating charm of love. But soon, her new vivacity is disrupted by her past, and Ellis must choose between two countries and two loves: Tony in the U.S. and Jim (Domhnall Gleeson) in Ireland.

Others to round out the cast are Jim Broadbent as Father Ford, Julie Walters as Mrs. Kehoe, Brid Brennan as Miss. Kelly, Matt  Glynn as Priest, Maeve McGrath as Mary, Jane Brennan as Mary Lacey, Eileen O'Higgins as Nancy, Peter Campion as George Sheridan and Eva Birthistle as Georgina.

This film was finely delineated by director John Crowley ("Intermission" '03, "Celebration"  (TV movie) '07, "Boy A" '07, "Is Anybody There?" '08, "Closed Circuit" '13). This filmmaker, by his very resume, sticks to what he does best--independent films. With the exception of "Closed Circuit", he's an indie type of guy, and why not--some of the most artfully, creatively done films are indie films, "Brooklyn" being one of them. His actors had a subtle approach to how they were to convey their characters to the audience and this takes a talented director, whether the actor is consummate or not. It was brilliantly written by Nick Hornby ("Fever Pitch" '97 and '05, "An Education" '09, "Wild" '14) plus others. OK, I'm not sure what "Fever Pitch" is about. With the talent of this writer, I suspect one must pay their dues in order to be able to write scripts they can sink their teeth into, whereas "Wild" was phenomenal and a great character written for Reese Witherspoon. This film showcased Saoirse Ronan's incredible ability to act. She actually proved her acting ability in "Atonement", but Hornby's script simply gave her an amazing vehicle to prove is a consummate pro--possibly with an Oscar nod in her grasp, and Emory Cohen as Tony was a delight and had great chemistry with Ronan. The production values were incredible and spot on for the period in which was represented: production design, costumes, photography were true to the era.

With so many big-budget, high adrenaline, violent and graphic films we are besieged with these days, it's a welcome breath of fresh air to see a film about simple life in the city about a couple meeting and getting to know one another and how that ultimately affects others around them. This is a must see this Christmas for all to experience. And by film's end, one can walk out of the multiplex not only feeling better about one's self, but also the same of those around you.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                             Rated: PG-13                             111mins.