Brooklyn – Two Countries, Two Loves, One Heart
This romantic drama follows an Irish immigrant who lands in 1950s Brooklyn where she quickly falls into a new romance. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist in each. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Mia A. comments, “Brooklyn is a romantic drama that I would watch again and again because of its heartfelt moments and the relationship between the characters. “ See her full review below.
Brooklyn
By Mia A, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11
Brooklyn, directed by John Crowley, is a romantic drama that I would watch again and again because of its heartfelt moments and the relationship between the characters.
Brooklyn is about a girl named Eilis who lives in Ireland with her sister and mother and is going to America to find a better opportunity for work. It is hard for her when she first moves to America because she grieves over leaving her family and is terribly homesick. She falls madly in love in New York. Eilis returns to Ireland for a family crisis and she puts herself in a very complicated situation, making her wonder if she ever wants to leave Ireland again.
The acting in Brooklyn makes it realistic and a pleasure to watch. The cast members are chosen very well and they play their parts with a lot of character and emotion. My favorite character is Eilis, played by Irish American actress Saoirse Ronan. She is a perfect Eilis because she is so believable which helps build the audience’s love for the story.
I really felt the love between Tony and Eilis. Tony, played by Emory Cohen, is sweet, funny, and sweeps Eilis off her feet when she is vulnerable and needing comfort the most. Tony’s Italian heritage both attracts her and stretches her as a character.
The settings, scenery and costumes are appropriate for the time period of the 1950s and really captures the essence of w
hat it life would have been like in Ireland and Brooklyn at that time. The costumes are very realistic and transport the viewer to a different time and place.
My favorite scene is when two of her boarding school friends teach Eilis how to eat spaghetti properly in preparation for dinner with Tony’s Italian family. This scene got many people in the audience laughing.
The moral to this story is that “home is home.” We also see that home is where the heart is. Eilis loves both Ireland and America, and a gentleman in both places. Which man and which home will she ultimately choose?
I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars for the beautiful romance and the amazing settings. I recommend this for ages 13 to 18. Parents should be aware that there is some bad language and there is a sex scene that they might not want their younger kids to watch.
If you are a romance lover or looking for a cinema vacation, aka “cinecation”, then Brooklyn is just right for you! Check out this movie on November 4th in theaters near you.
