Movie Title: Brooklyn
Grade: B+
Rating: PG-13, 1 hour 51 minutes
In a Nutshell: Irish actress Saoirse Ronan shines in this period piece about Irish immigrants coming to America in the 1950’s. It’s a character study about self-discovery that flows slowly and smoothly.
Some critics were hoping she would be nominated for an Oscar for best actress, and she made the list (she didn’t win). Not only that, but the film was also nominated for Best Picture, although it didn’t win either.
Uplifting theme:
- The film asks the questions of all us: Who am I? Where do I belong? What should I do with my life?
- “Home sickness is like most sicknesses. It will pass.” – Father Flood (Jim Broadbent)
Things I liked:
- I loved it when that guy sang an old Irish song in the food hall on Thanksgiving. Have you discovered Peter Hollens on YouTube? He sings a fantastic Irish song that I really love: “The Parting Glass”, which has been featured in the video game Assassin’s Creed 4.
- I’ve always liked Domhnall Gleeson. I loved him in About Time
. Too bad he doesn’t show up until the end of the movie.
- Julie Walters plays Mrs. Kehoe so well that you can almost taste her boarding house cooking.
- I loved visiting Ireland. One of the things on my Bucket List is to not just go to Ireland, but to sing with drunk locals at pub in Ireland. No, I don’t drink, but I think it would be fun to feel like an Irish girl where the locals hang out.
- I appreciated the respectful nod to all of the Irish immigrants who helped build the bridges, buildings, and traditions of Brooklyn: Then and Now®
.
Things I didn’t like:
- The Irish director, John Crowley, introduces small conflicts throughout the film, but the big one doesn’t arrive until almost the end of the movie. I thought it was resolved too quickly; I would have liked to see it explored in more depth.
- It’s very slow-moving.
- Tony’s character is, sadly, quite unmemorable. He’s a nice guy, but his little brother is more interesting than he is. There isn’t a lot of chemistry in their romance.
Funny lines:
- “Why didn’t you wear your blue dress?” – best friend
“Are you asking why I didn’t make more of an effort?” – Eilis Lacey
Tips for parents:
- 2 F-bombs. Usually a movie is rated R after the first F-bomb, so I don’t know why the film still has a PG-13 rating.
- There’s an uncomfortable pre-marital sex scene with clothes on (mostly).
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