140 Character Movie Review – #140RVW
Yes, you’ve seen and read stories like this before. It isn’t unique. But there’s something to be said for doing something well, nay perfect.
Spoiler-free Movie Review of Brooklyn:
Brooklyn is a stunningly beautiful, emotional, well-written and wonderfully acted film. I’d have to say it’s a nearly perfect film.
Now I know this sounds like I’m lining up the film for a big criticism – a big “but…” – but there really isn’t one. I don’t think I can find a single critical or negative thing to say about the picture. That’s not to say of course, that I consider it terribly original, ground-breaking or life-changing. It’s just good. Very good. It is pretty much perfect, really.
It is true that it’s not the sort of film I consider “big screen material”; that is to say, I don’t generally go out of my way to see quiet dramas in the theaters. Not that they are at all undeserving – far from it. But I sadly don’t get out to the cinema as much as I’d like and that, coupled with the short theatrical runs of pictures and the ridiculously small wait for home release, mean I usually reserve my movie-going experiences for big effects pictures that really fill a 40 foot screen.
As it turned out, my long-delayed trip to go see the new Bond film with a friend ended up with us missing the picture and so we found ourselves tucking into Brooklyn instead. While of course I’m upset I missed Spectre, I was delighted to have the opportunity to see director John Crowley’s brilliant film, and on the big-screen no less. It certainly deserved the 40 foot treatment…
The Oscar-nominated screenplay by Nick Hornby (yes, that Nick Hornby – he’s making quite an impressive splash in his second career of screenwriter) is an adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s popular novel. I haven’t read the book and frankly don’t plan to, for the story, while excellent, doesn’t really contain anything you haven’t read/seen before. The immigrant experience is fascinating and crucial to an appreciation of the United States, but it’s also quite personal. If you’ve seen one well-made telling of the immigrant experience, I’d suggest you’ve sort of seen them all. The details change and each story is worthy of hearing, but the stories are somewhat more or less meaningful to you in direct relation to how closely it echoes your American experience.
No, the difference maker is in the execution, and Brooklyn hits every note. It is marvelous to watch, truly gorgeous. Cinematography by Yves Bélanger is absolutely stunning. I can’t say he was robbed by not getting an Oscar nod, because the nominees are all amazing, but this work definitely is award material. He makes Brooklyn, New York and Enniscorthy, County Wexford equally beautiful. That’s rather impressive.
The visuals are made even more striking by the incredible attention to detail in this period piece. Production Design by François Séguin; Art Direction by Irene O’Brien & Robert Parle; Set Decoration by Suzanne Cloutier, Jenny Oman & Louise Tremblay; Costume Design by Odile Dicks-Mireaux… these are some of the unsung talents who make films shine…
Acting is seldom overlooked in a film, however, and Brooklyn features some impressive performances. Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Fiona Glascott, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, and others have fine turns for their parts, but no one can compare to Saoirse Ronan. She completely owns the role of Eilis Lacey – it’s a once in a lifetime pairing of actor and part. Ronan is so incredibly expressive that you are drawn into her entire journey. After walking out of the theater I remarked that Ronan was a mortal lock for Best Actress. Truly captivating…
Brooklyn may not be the most original film up for Best Picture this year, but it is entirely deserving of the attention. It is a beautiful, moving, lovingly made film and a very easy recommendation.
Poster:
Trailer:
Bechdel Test:
Pass
The Representation Test Score: B (9 pts)
(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)
[schema type=”movie” url=”http://www.sundance.org/projects/brooklyn” name=”Brooklyn” description=”Set on opposite sides of the Atlantic, John Crowley’s Brooklyn tells the profoundly moving story of Eilis Lacey, a young Irish immigrant navigating her way through 1950s Brooklyn. Lured by the promise of America, Eilis departs Ireland and the comfort of her mother’s home for the shores of New York City. The initial shackles of homesickness quickly diminish as a fresh romance sweeps Eilis into the intoxicating charm of love. But soon, her new vivacity is disrupted by her past, and Eilis must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.
Based on Colm Toibin’s acclaimed novel, director Crowley and writer Nick Hornby craft a deeply effective, sweeping romance. The sumptuous filmmaking vividly depicts a rapidly progressing world. Surrounded by a stellar cast of supporting characters, Saoirse Ronan gives a captivating performance as the luminous Eilis. The heart of this highly accomplished work evokes a timeless portrait of leaving home and the excruciating decisions one must make.” director=”John Crowley” actor_1=”Saoirse Ronan” ]
| Main Cast | Saoirse Ronan Eilis Emory Cohen Tony Domhnall Gleeson Jim Farrell Jim Broadbent Father Flood |
| Rating | PG-13 |
| Release Date | Wed 25 Nov 2015 UTC |
| Director | John Crowley |
| Genres | Drama, Romance |
| Plot | An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within. |
| Poster |  |
| Runtime | 111 |
| Tagline | Two countries, two loves, one heart. |
| Writers | Nick Hornby (screenplay), Colm Tóibín (as Colm Toibin) (novel) |
| Year | 2015 |