Grade: B+
Brooklyn, based on a novel written in 2009, and now a motion picture directed by John Crowley (with a screenplay by Nick Hornby), started off as a movie I wasn’t sure what to make of, but like a flower, bloomed and became increasingly more beautiful. I love the “slice of life” genre, and this was a tasty slice. Set sometime in the 1950s, Brooklyn tells the story of a girl named Eilis (pronounced “A-lish”), who leaves her family and job in Ireland to move to Brooklyn. Upon the coaxing of a few people who live with her in her boarding house, she is convinced to attend a dance, where she meets and falls in love with a nice Italian-American boy named Tony. Their romance begets some plot points I’ll leave you to discover, and then after several months, Eilis goes back home for what she planned was just a little while. Back in Ireland, things work out quite well for her very quickly, and a could-be romance ensues with a young man named Jim Farrell. [There is an Irish Jim Farrell who was a passenger on the Titanic. One wonders if there’s any relation.] Needless to say, Eilis has the ultimate quandary of her life. Advantages exist between both possible lives, and indeed, both Tony and Jim are consummate gentlemen, and just about equally viable options. She makes a choice in the end, but still, much is left open for fun “what do you think happens next” discussions among moviegoers. At the center of everything, carrying the movie, is the marvelous performance by Oscar-nominated Irish actress Saoirse Ronan as Eilis. She doesn’t do anything flashy. She keeps it simple and honest, and I was captivated by her. I think you will be, too. Nobody could have pulled off this particular role better. Ideally, isn’t that the kind of performance that SHOULD be receiving awards?
Grade: B+
Film Reviews by Mark 
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