Brooklyn

by

If you’re searching for a captivating period drama, your quest ends here! The timeless romance “Brooklyn,” directed by John Crowley, remains an unparalleled gem, featuring the talented Irish actress Saoirse Ronan. Released in 2015, this film is based on Colm Tóibín’s novel of the same name and can be streamed on Hulu. “Brooklyn” is a movie that should not be missed from your watchlist.

As a cinephile, I can attest that Brooklyn was met with critical acclaim upon its release, and it’s still just as impressive today, boasting a remarkable 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Given this high regard, it comes as no surprise that the period drama earned nominations in three categories at the 2016 Academy Awards – Best Picture, Best Actress for Saoirse Ronan, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Nick Hornby. While other films took home the Oscars that year, the nominations serve as a lasting testament to Brooklyn’s exceptional quality.

The Beauty and Hardships of Immigration in ‘Brooklyn’

In the 1950s, this film unfolds in Ireland, focusing on Eilis, a young woman yearning for fulfillment. She ventures to Brooklyn, New York, but at first misses her homeland dearly. However, romance with an Italian charmer blossoms, until the harsh realities of living far from family and home start to overwhelm her. This situation compels Eilis to consider a decision that could significantly alter her life’s course.

The main theme revolves around Eilis, played by Ronan, going through very understandable challenges as she adjusts to living abroad. For instance, she misses home terribly, initially feels uncomfortable and out of sync with the start of her adventure, and battles to assimilate and navigate a new society. Despite leaving her Irish life behind being essential for her personal development, it’s clear that this transition was not easy for her.

Eilis finds it extremely challenging to be away from her sister and mother. The miles between them feel oppressive, and learning about her sister Rose’s untimely death, without being able to comfort her or attend her funeral, is a profound sorrow. Knowing that her mother is now alone intensifies the weight of her choice to live abroad, making it all the more difficult for her. The film “Brooklyn” masterfully portrays this harsh reality of leaving home and the impact of distance and death on one’s emotional well-being.

‘Brooklyn’ Features a Love Triangle With Nuance

In New York, Eilis navigates her new surroundings, yet just as in any captivating historical tale, romance unexpectedly sweeps in, causing chaos in her life. As for Tony and Jim, their entries into Eilis’s life mark the beginning of a complex romantic entanglement.

In the movie Brooklyn, the love triangle serves a more significant purpose than just generating conflict. It presents Eilis with two potential suitors, each expressing their affection for her, while she nurtures feelings for both. This predicament directly reflects Eilis’s dilemma about where she ultimately wishes to spend her life. Essentially, the love triangle in Brooklyn represents two contrasting aspects of Eilis, compelling her to make a decision between American Tony (Emory Cohen) and Irish Jim (Domhnall Gleeson), or neither if she chooses a different path.

The decision she faces revolves around love and her future, as the two suitors represent distinct life directions for her. Eilis finds herself torn between staying in America with Tony or returning to Ireland with Jim and her family, a choice that significantly impacts her sense of self and identity.

One of Saoirse Ronan’s Best Performances

Without a shadow of a doubt, Saoirse Ronan stands out as one of the most captivating actors currently gracing our screens. From her portrayal of Mary Stuart in “Mary Queen of Scots,” to Jo March in Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women,” and Lady Bird McPherson in Gerwig’s “Lady Bird,” Ronan consistently breathes life into characters with an extraordinary depth. On screen, she is a powerful presence who manages to draw the audience in, making them feel as if they are living the role alongside her.

In the instance of Brooklyn, Saoirse Ronan delivers an exceptionally compelling portrayal. The audience finds it remarkably simple to empathize with Eilis’ trials, aspirations, and journey as a whole, for Ronan skillfully reflects authentic human emotions on screen. Longing, sorrow, heartache, doubt, love, and confusion are all feelings that Eilis encounters, and thanks to Saoirse Ronan’s exceptional acting, viewers share in these emotions too. Brooklyn offers an insightful depiction of the immigration experience, linking Eilis’ battle with self-identity to her decision between two nations. Brooklyn can be streamed on Hulu.

Read More

2025-04-20 17:32