Brooklyn Review
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters
Directed by: John Crowley
Written by: Nick Hornby
Reviewed by: Joshua Ochoa
[rating: 4/5]
At first glance Brooklyn might seem like your usual romantic drama. It’s more a drama about life with all its ups and downs. Yes, ‘love’ plays a significant part in the film but that’s the same with life? John Crowley directs Brooklyn with restraint and a gentle touch aided by a fantastic script from novelist Nick Hornby who adapted the book written by Colm Tóibín.
Saoirse Ronan stars as Eilis, a young Irish woman who moves to America for a life with more opportunity. Domhnall Gleeson, Emory Cohen, Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters also star in supporting roles.
Brooklyn doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to dealing with leaving home for a new country, nor does it do anything original when dealing with love triangles. But, what makes the film work is that it executes everything with completely tender honesty. At no point does this film feel forced or contrived in anyway, it just feels real, honest and true. Even the love triangle doesn’t feel phony or frustrating, it’s just the timing of people in your life. If there’s anything that feels a little off it’s the performance of Jessica Paré (you may know her from Mad Men) who just doesn’t feel as natural as the rest of the cast.
Good thing the film is led by a phenomenal performance from Ronan; you feel her struggle, pain, sense of discovery and joy and she was justly nominated for an Oscar for it. Both Cohen and Gleeson give you reasons to see why Eilis fell for both of them and show that nervous dorks can be charming and that loving honesty is something we need more of. Broadbent is a welcome addition as always but it’s really Julie Walters who is the bright spot of film as the hilarious owner of the boarding house that Eilis stays in. Special mention to James DiGiacomo who plays Cohen’s little brother in the film who is adorably hilarious too.
The film is also gorgeously shot with beautiful costumes and production design too. The music is lovely and that’s exactly what this film is, lovely. This film is funny, romantic, sad and honest. Filled with uncertainty but also strength, just like life. It’s not anything you haven’t seen before, but it’s what you’ve seen before made with love, skill and honesty. There is no sappy manipulation, just emotional truth.
