FilmSnobReviews

Title: Brooklyn
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: John Crowley
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Jim Broadbent
Runtime: 1 hr 41 mins

What It Is: When young Eilis (Ronan) gets the opportunity to move to the United States from her native Ireland she does so. Boarding a ship across the Atlantic, she ports in Brooklyn and stays at a boarding house. It is here where she lives and eventually loves. Falling for an Italian boy named Tony (Cohan) she’ll get new inspiration to live in New York. When tragedy strikes back at home, however, her Amerian dream may just be shattered along with her heart.

What We Think: This is such a happy time at the movies. Rarely if ever does an on-screen romance have you cheering for the two people, but here I found myself wanting Eilis to somehow get back to Tony. Ronan is pitch here. Not only does she not have to put on an accent (you know since she is Irish) but she really gets a hold of the character she’s playing. Most of her supporting cast bring great pathos to their parts and add something to each scene they’re in. Lastly here I’d like to point out how much joy this film brought. I felt a happiness throughout the entirety of this film’s runtime.

Our Grade: A, One of the most positive theater experiences of the year. I felt happy with the film, and it was nice to see something like this. Ronan was revelatory and I expect her to be in the Oscar conversation. I also really enjoyed Julie Waters’ turn as the head woman of Eilis’ boarding house. Go and see this movie, it is one that is sure to have you leave it in a better mood than when you went in. That in and of itself is a compliment. It is pretty academic at this point for me to say I recommend this one. That is fairly obvious, no?