Brooklyn

Set in the early 1950s, this diasporic film follows Eilis (Saoirse Ronan), a young Irish woman as she immigrates to Brooklyn, New York and establishes her life in the Big Apple. She soon settles down living under no-nonsense landlady Mrs Kehoe (Julie Waters) and finds love with Italian charmer Tony Fiorello (Emory Cohen). However, she still feels a deep longing for home in Ireland and the life she had with her mother and sister. Through happiness and tragedy, she is drawn back to Ireland where she must choose between her familiar life in Ireland and her new, exotic life in America. Nick Hornby's screenplay brings life to Colm Tóibín’s novel whilst John Crowley's direction elegantly guides us through the story. Unlike many dramas, the film's charm comes not from theatrical outbursts of love but from subtle gestures and emotionally intelligent dialogue. The music throughout the film echoes the two conflicting sides of Eilis' life; soulful, traditional Irish folks songs are juxtaposed with the lively swing of 50s America. Audiences will be enchanted by Ronan's charismatic screen presence and the film's beautiful cinematography.

Mark Kermode –“I really really liked it.”

Jess Carroll