I must confess being a bit of a sucker for the 50s, especially America. I recently saw the equally beautiful Carol (Cate Blanchett & Rooney Mara) also set during the 50s and both films share a similar innocent suppressed vibe. And, it must be said, wonderfully elegant fashions.
Sixty years ago, for anyone to travel, with their family, half way across the world in search of a better life, was and still is a significant undertaking, but for a woman to do that on her own, took immense courage and fortitude.
The Brooklyn story is very simply told, not requiring any contrivances to keep things "interesting". It's this purity of focus that allows the audience to be drawn in to the world of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) as she experiences life in all its messiness and beauty.
Brooklyn is a film that, similar to Carol, relies as much on what isn't said as what is and with Saoirse Ronan's piercing eyes, a silent look can melt hearts.
Strong female lead roles are still a depressing scarcity and it's wonderful to find a film that succeeds because it "is" from a woman's perspective.
If you are jaded by convoluted romantic story lines and token female characters I urge you to give Brooklyn a watch.
Sixty years ago, for anyone to travel, with their family, half way across the world in search of a better life, was and still is a significant undertaking, but for a woman to do that on her own, took immense courage and fortitude.
The Brooklyn story is very simply told, not requiring any contrivances to keep things "interesting". It's this purity of focus that allows the audience to be drawn in to the world of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) as she experiences life in all its messiness and beauty.
Brooklyn is a film that, similar to Carol, relies as much on what isn't said as what is and with Saoirse Ronan's piercing eyes, a silent look can melt hearts.
Strong female lead roles are still a depressing scarcity and it's wonderful to find a film that succeeds because it "is" from a woman's perspective.
If you are jaded by convoluted romantic story lines and token female characters I urge you to give Brooklyn a watch.