BROOKLYN REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

In her strongest performance yet, Saoirse Ronan stars as Eilis Lacey, a young Irish woman who moves from a small town in Ireland to the big city, Brooklyn, in New York. There she hopes to make a living by having a job and finding love. Fortunately, she succeeds in both and develops a relationship with Italian-American, Tony (Emory Cohen). Unfortunately, tragedy strikes and Eilis has to return to Ireland where she meets Jim (Domhnall Gleeson) and must make the biggest decision of her life. 

Saoirse Ronan was nominated for a total of 51 awards for her performance as Eilis, all of which she deserved. In the beginning, we perceive Eilis as an incredibly shy and awkward woman but, after meeting Tony, she transitions into a confident and happy woman. Brooklyn is worth watching simply for Saoirse's performance.

It wouldn't be a successful romantic drama if there wasn't any chemistry between the two love interests. Fortunately, Emory Cohen is likeable and charismatic as Tony. He falls for Eilis and she soon develops feelings for him. We never doubt their love for each other.
Dohmnall Gleeson has limited screen-time and he doesn't make an appearance until late in the film. His character, Jim, is simply there to make Eilis question her feelings for Tony and make the ultimate decision: does she stay in Ireland with her mother and start a new relationship with Tony or does she return to Brooklyn to be with Tony?  

This film also features solid performances from two of Britain's well-loved actors: Julie Walters as Mrs. Kehoe, the woman who owns the house that Euclidean stays in and likes to gossip and Jim Broadbent as Father Flood, the caring priest who gives Eilise her job.

Most romantic dramas are all the same and are full of cliches but Brooklyn is unlike any other film I've seen. The film takes its time developing Eilis' character instead of rushing her story. Although the majority of the film is uplifting, it doesn't come without its lows, including a shocking tragedy. It's because of this that we feel sympathy for Eilis and she begins to feel unsure about where her true home lies.
Director John Crowley divided this film into three distinct acts by altering his visual approach in a subtle way. The first act, which happens in Ireland prior to Eilis' emigration, has a darker and more sober look and tone. The second act occurs when she arrives in Brooklyn and features more richer colours and contains elements of nostalgia. The third and final act which is when Eilis returns to Ireland revisits many of the same places as the first but with brighter lighting and there's no evidence of colour desaturation from the beginning of the film.

Overall, this is a beautifully told romantic drama with a strong performance from Saoirse Ronan.

8/10