Brooklyn (John Crowley, 2015) often plays as if it's from another time. Being set in the Fifties of the twentieth century, you might think the impression derives from close attention to period detail. But not only so. A romantic melodrama that is lovely to look at, Brooklyn brings both Ford and Sirk to mind.
II.
Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) lives with her mother (Jane Brennan) and sister Rose (Fiona Glascott), in County Wexford, Ireland. The year is 1951, and young Eilis is unable to find suitable employment. It's arranged that Eilis travel by sea to the United States, and take a job in a Brooklyn department store.
Living in a women's boarding house in America, Eilis learns to cope with homesickness. Soon, she meets Tony Fiorello (Emory Cohen), who becomes Eilis's boyfriend.
Then, suddenly, Eilis receives the terrible news that her sister Rose has died from an illness. She makes the necessary plans to be with her family in Ireland. Eilis assures Tony the trip is only a visit. He doesn't let her leave without their being married in civil court, however.
Back in Ireland, circumstances build that have Eilis debating whether she should return to the United States. A local employment opportunity better than her Brooklyn job opens up for Eilis. And charming bachelor Jim Farrell (Domhnall Gleeson) takes her notice.
Will the appeals and ties of belonging that Ireland is asserting on Eilis, as her birthplace, sway her from returning to America? Or will she keep to her marital vows with Tony, and sail back to Brooklyn?
III.
With a fine cast led by Saoirse Ronan, John Crowley's
Brooklyn makes its way to the present, with the past.
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