BROOKLYN Movie Review

This post is made possible by support from Fox Searchlight Pictures. All opinions are my own.
#BrooklynMovie

The first time I went to Ellis Island in New York City I was looking for the names of my great-grandparents on the lists of immigrants. The halls were empty but the ghosts of men, women, and children who had traveled far to have a better life were evident. It was hard to imagine when my ancestors first passed through the harbor on the way to a strange and scary new world. It was the land of opportunity, but one with a different language and a melting pot of ethnicities.

The second time I went to Ellis Island I brought my children. This time we were searching for the names of my husbands grandparents. We toured the grand halls and tried to give the kids an idea of what the children of their age might have been experiencing so many long years ago. While they understood in a practical sense, I don’t think they absorbed all the emotion, the turmoil, and the complete lifestyle change they had to endure.

I’m so glad that they will have the chance to learn about part of our country’s immigrant history the next time they go to the movies.

The new movie, BROOKLYN, is the story of a young Irish immigrant, Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), who comes to Brooklyn in the 1950’s. As so many before her, she is lured to America by it’s promise of a better life. Settling into life in America, she falls in love and when she has to return to Ireland, she struggles with choosing between the life and country that are part of her… and the new country and life that await her back in America.

I had the chance to see this beautiful film last night at the Landmark Theater in West Los Angeles. I went in with few expectations since all I knew of the film was what I had read online. I was mesmerized by the script (written by Nick Hornby) and the way the director (John Crowley) created an experience in which the audience actually went on this journey with the characters. Life is a serious of choices you make, and they don’t always come without conflict.

The cast was spectacular, and relatively new to me. Saoirse Ronan is just exquisite as Eilis, the title character, and newcomer Emory Cohen, is charming as Tony, her love interest. Julie Waters is a hoot as Mrs. Kehoe, the owner of the boarding house. The cast rounds out with Jim Broadbent, Fiona Glascott, Jane Brennan, and Domnhall Gleeson. Such a talented group of actors.

I already called my mother to tell her to go see it… and I don’t normally recommend a lot of movies. I can’t wait to see it again myself… something I never do.

I’m not surprised that BROOKLYN was the official selection of the Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival. It is the perfect movie to see over the holidays.

Find a theater near you.

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