Brooklyn

2015
NC16
1h 57m

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

153K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:38

An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the liv... Read allAn Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

153K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

1,967

273

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 38 wins & 161 nominations total

Videos37

Clip 1:15

You Dont Sound Irish

Clip 1:28

I Wanna Ask You Somethin

Clip 0:47

Your Life Could Be Good Here

Clip 1:00

A Helping Hand

Clip 0:38

Suitable Conversation

Photos178

+ 173

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Director John Crowley divided this movie into three different visual movements. The first movement is before Eilis Lacey leaves post-war Ireland and is with tight frames and filled with green tones. The color scheme was created by photographic reference of the time. The second movement begins when Eilis leaves for Brooklyn, and the first proper wide shot is featured, while the colors become more playful as a nod to how America in 1952 was on the cusp of pop culture kicking off. The third movement is back in Ireland, brighter, more glamorous, and "subtly more colorful" than the first movement. Crowley wanted to showcase how Eilis has changed and looks very different: "There is a slightly dreamy quality to that last third," he said.

Goofs
Early in the film, a co-worker attempts to discuss the film The Quiet Man (1952). This scene in Brooklyn, NY, takes place in 1951; also in a key scene that takes place much later, a new tombstone on a grave is dated 1st July 1952. "The Quiet Man" was not on general release in USA cinemas until 14 September 1952, with the American premiere in New York City, New York taking place on August 21, 1952.

Quotes
[last lines]
Eilis: [instructing new immigrant] You have to think like an American. You'll feel so homesick that you'll want to die, and there's nothing you can do about it apart from endure it. But you will, and it won't kill you. And one day the sun will come out - you might not even notice straight away, it'll be that faint. And then you'll catch yourself thinking about something or someone who has no connection with the past. Someone who's only yours. And you'll realize... that this is where your life is.

Connections
Featured in TFI Friday: Episode #7.1 (2015)

Soundtracks
Teddy O'Neill
Traditional
Arranged by John Carty
Performed by John Carty, James Blennerhassett, Paul Gurney and Jim Higgins

User reviews355

Review

Featured review

Tale of Two Cities

Sweet little love story of an Irish lass who comes to America circa 1950. She leaves her home in Enniscorthy (Co. Wexford) and comes to seek fame and fortune - and maybe a 'fella' - in Brooklyn. Subsequent events draw her back to Enniscorthy, and then back to Brooklyn. In between we come to know Eilis (pronounced Ailish) Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) quite well because it is her picture, and she is in nearly every scene. She changes from a homesick immigrant to a self-assured woman in the course of the picture, and Ronan's characterization is terrific.

Along the way she meets Tony Fiorello, played by Emory Cohen in a role apparently underplayed so as not to upstage the main character. He comes from a big Italian family but is not a stereotypical Italian; he is barely audible and very subdued. Perhaps the best and most humorous scenes take place at dinnertime in Mrs. Kehoe's boarding house for Irish immigrant girls. Played by Julie Walters, she rides herd on her catty boarders and uses religious metaphors to put them in their place.

"Brooklyn" is a movie for grown-ups, an independent film in a sea of Hollywood schlock. It is a likable movie with a lot of heart and solid acting down to the smallest role. It is not a sprawling saga but a nice little movie, and I have only sketched a few instances. Many reviewers summarize the whole picture, but the overall tenor of the picture gives the moviegoer a rooting interest and a sense of the resiliency of the human spirit, as well as an illustration of the innate decency and goodness of Eilis Lacey.

P.S. Those hoping to see scenes of Brooklyn neighborhoods will be disappointed; the picture was filmed in Canada and Ireland.