In this lush, loving adaptation of Colm Toibin’s bestselling novel, it’s the middle of the twentieth century, and thoughtful Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) is sailing to America from Ireland in search of opportunities that her small, quiet, seaside hometown can’t offer to her. As she begins to build her new life, she meets Tony (Emory Cohen) at a parish dance and they fall in love.
But then duty calls Eilis home to Ireland, and things get very complicated. Ronan’s portrayal of a homesick girl in search of a home is both innocent and mature, and the film’s meditation on what it is to find your place feels surprisingly contemporary. Part fairy tale, part romance, part meditation on the loss that always accompanies growing up, Brooklyn is the sort of classic you can, and will, watch at every age. —Alissa Wilkinson (2015)
Arts & Faith Lists:
2015 Arts & Faith Ecumenical Jury — #8