It seems like Brooklyn has been out for ages. People have been raving about this film since it’s screening at The Sundance Film Festival back in January.
We’ve all heard about how beautiful this film is and all the talk has been about Saoirse Ronan’s performance.
Well finally we get to see it for ourselves as it’s in cinemas now.
So what’s Brooklyn all about?
Set in the 1950s, Saoirse Ronan’s Eilis Lacey is an Irish immigrant who lands in Brooklyn. At first she finds life tough but when things finally start falling into place for her – she’s settling in well , finds a job and falls in love, circumstances back home force her to make a trip back to Ireland.
When in her native Wexford, things become complicated and she has difficult life decisions to make. Eilis is forced to choose between 2 countries, 2 lives and 2 men.
I’m always wary of when a film receives so much hype, because more often than not I walk out of the cinema disappointed. That could not be further from the truth with Brooklyn.
Everything that people have been saying about it is true and then some.
It is such a heartbreakingly beautiful film. The film had me smiling but it also had me ugly crying.
Even though it’s set in the 1950s, it couldn’t be more applicable to today’s generation emigration if it tried. So many of us have left our homes for either work or love or both. That alone, wlll strike a chord with so many and the tears will begin to fall the first time Eilis sets foot on that boat to her new life in Brooklyn, leaving behind the family, friends and life she loves so much.
But the story alone isn’t why it will touch so many of us, the reason this film works so well is because of its talented lead actress, Saoirse Ronan,
As we all know, Saoirse, even though she is only 21, is a veteran in Hollywood. She has been acting since she was 9 years old and even received an Oscar nomination for her role in Atonement at the age of 13.
But it is this role as Eilis that has her cementing herself as one to watch in Hollywood. This is Saoirse’s breakout performance. The one that says to the world, Saoirse is an amazingly talented actress who is here for the long run.
She delivers such a mature, beautiful, poignant performance as Eilis. So much so, that there’s Oscar buzz surrounding it.
Even though this film is all about Saoirse, she is supported by a fine cast – including Jim Broadbent, Domnhall Gleeson, who plays her Irish love interest, and Emory Cohen who is her American Italian love interest.
As well as the acting, the film looks beautiful. It has successfully captured the style, grace and feel of the 1950s.
Generally I’m not into love stories – I find them too soppy and formulaic. But not this one as it’s more than just a love story. It’s also a story about self discovery and living your happiness wherever you may find yourself.
Just recently Ryan Gosling presented Saoirse Ronan with a New Hollywood award. While presenting he gave the audience a lesson on how to pronounce Saoirse’s name.
Thanks to Brooklyn, and Saoirse’s stunning performance, no-one’s going to forget how to pronounce her name again.
Brooklyn is in cinemas now. It’s 4 and a half stars and a box of tissues from me!
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