Based on Colm Tóibín's novel of the same name, 'Brooklyn' is A Beautiful, Beautiful Film! A heartwarming tale about Love, Loss & Relationships. And a Knock-Out Performance by Saoirse Ronan is always welcome.

'Brooklyn' Synopsis: An Irish immigrant 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 within.

'Brooklyn' is a simple film, told magnificently. Its superior film in all respects. Nick Hornby's Adapted Screenplay captures the Protagonist's coming-of-age tale, with dignity & pathos. I was arrested by the flow of the narrative. John Crowley's Direction is excellent. Cinematography & Editing are sharp, while the Art & Costume Design are fabulous. Michael Brook's Score works.

Performance-Wise: Saoirse Ronan is in great form. The talented actress delivers a Knock-Out Performance as the naive & lovable protagonist. This is the kind of performance awards were invented for. Giving her terrific support are Emory Cohen & Domhnall Gleeson, who enact the men in her lives, proficiently. The Ever-Compelling Jim Broadbent shines in a brief role.

On the whole, 'Brooklyn' is a true winner. Don't miss it!

"Brooklyn" was a frustrating movie to watch. So much of it was perfect...the amazing costuming that really evoked the early 1950s, great direction, the amazingly perfect music and some of the best acting I've seen in years. Yet despite having all this, the film STILL frustrated me because of a problem with the plot. This problem is an easy one to work out...yet inexplicably it became monstrously huge.

Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) is a young Irish lady who has just learned she's being sponsored to go to America. While she's thrilled with a chance at a new life, it's all so overwhelming and strange and you follow Eilis on her journey.

The first half of the film is incredibly sweet and nice. I knew since it was a movie things could not stay this way but I sure was hoping it would. Sadly, Eilis' sister has died and she must go back home...and leave the lovely Italian-American man she's come to love and just married. Inexplicably, when she arrives back in Ireland, she doesn't tell anyone she is married and even leads a wonderful man on by making him think he had a chance with her. And, through all this I felt like screaming "WHY wouldn't you just tell everyone you are married and be done with it??? That's what any sane person would do!!"....and that is why no matter how much I loved the film it misses out on being a classic.

It's the 1950's. Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) is a reserved young woman in Enniscorthy, Ireland, living with her mother and sister Rose. She emigrates to America where Father Flood (Jim Broadbent) has sponsored her. She's staying in Madge Kehoe (Julie Walters)'s girls' boarding house. She struggles with her job and homesickness. Father Flood gets her into accounting school. She is pursued by Italian boy Tony Fiorello (Emory Cohen).

Saoirse Ronan is a terrific performer. She brings out something powerful. The story has few surprises. The plot is flat and the drama is limited. This is a very simple immigrant story. It does get at some universal truths in that experience. It would help if Emory Cohen is more charismatic. I don't mind that he's not the stereotypical Italian character but he needs more power. There is limited heat and it's all generated by Saoirse's will of personality. She is great. The movie needs to get up to her level.