Brooklyn – Film Review – by Emily Elphinstone

Director: John Crowley
Writers: Nick Hornby (screenplay)
Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson

Both heartbreaking, and hilarious; Brooklyn reveals the emotional wrenches that anyone who has left family behind to move abroad will be familiar with; even if it is no longer necessary to take the boat.

Based on the novel by Colm Tóibín, Brooklyn tells the story of Eilis Lacey, an Irish immigrant leaving her family behind to seek a future in 1950s America. Living in a boarding house run by Mrs Kehoe (the inimitable Julie Walters) and working in an upmarket department store, Eilis at first struggles to feel at home in her new surroundings. With the help of Father Flood (a wonderfully sympathetic Jim Broadbent) and the earnest charm of Italian-American Tony (Emory Cohen), Brooklyn gradually becomes less foreign than it at first seemed, but a trip back to her hometown of Enniscorthy and an introduction to local boy Jim Farrell (Domnhall Gleeson) once again throws it all into question.

Saoirse Ronan is so brilliantly understated in the lead role, that you can feel her inner turmoil of homesickness with only the slightest flick of an eye. She’s backed up by a range of brilliantly observed supporting characters, which are both instantly recognisable and completely individual.

Adapted for the screen by Nick Hornby, the humour of the film is in the detail in every meaningful look from her mother, every awkward social interaction at the weekly Dance, and clever observation such as Irish people never putting on their swimwear until they get to the beach!

There is no doubt that Brooklyn is designed to play with the emotions; but John Crowley’s direction ensures that this never slips into melodrama. With stunningly detailed (and rather fashionable) period design, and excellent performances from the entire cast; this wonderfully atmospheric film that certainly does justice to the original bestselling novel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szRFS4NO6f8