Brooklyn (us) [Blu-ray]

I don't give five stars easily. This was an absolutely beautiful little film. Saoirse Ronan is very good in the lead, as are the supporting cast. It's a story that many viewers may know well - about a young person who, with utter confidence, makes a decision to immigrate to another country and culture, only to find that home haunts you for months, and the homesickness you experience is nothing like you expected. It is nearly unbearable. And then the biggest surprise . . . that you are missing a ghost, because home doesn't ever stay the way we left it; it changes and disappears and something else takes its place. Things are never the way you remember. If you have ever experienced this, you may do what I did and cry like a child throughout the film. If you haven't, you may see immigration differently. At any rate it will make you think about the meaning of "home" - is it the past? The familiar? Is it a person you can't live without? Is "home" ultimately what you make it? Don't miss this one.

I don't like Hallmark Movies and was afraid that's what this was going to be. But it was an extremely touching movie and very well acted. Very realistic.A young, rather plain Irish girl with no job opportunities and a lackluster social life, in a small tight Irish town, moves to Brookland, NY. A job, a place to live, and opportunity is provided for her before she sets out, courtesy of a priest a friend knows. We quietly watch as this reserved girl finds her way in a strange, new, bustling world amongst the forward and bold American culture. We feel her intimidation, inexperience and fear; we experience the raw, emotional pain of homesickness and the loneliness of being so far away from home. She falls in love with an Italian young man who adores her; she blossoms into a lovely young woman and takes night classes to obtain a bookkeeping certificate with the aim of bettering herself. All is going well until her sister suddenly dies and she is called back home to Ireland to be with her distraught mother.Before going back to Ireland, she quickly marries her Italian boyfriend and sets off for a one-month visit. While there fond memories of childhood and her homeland pull her heart back to the familiarity of home. Because her mother is so grateful for, and dependent on, her for care and happiness, Ailish doesn't tell her immediately that she's married. Through well-meaning friends, she spends some platonic time with a young unworldly, kind Irish man and finds herself growing to love him also. She doesn't go "over the line" with him, but there is an obvious emotional struggle that both confuses and frightens her. Should she go back to America to be with her husband and a country so foreign and still new to her; yet bursting with excitement and opportunity? Or stay where everything is familiar and quiet and where her lifelong memories, friendships and mother is. Everything is the same, and yet everything is so different for her upon her return. Because of her certificate and sophistication, new opportunities open to her at home; and the possibility of love could be hers. This only confuses her more and increases the struggle. She doesn't love her husband any less and misses him; but the attraction and love for a kindly man---different than her good husband---must be dealt with. It's a struggle that is hard but very human. An incident makes up her mind for her, and at the end we are convinced it was the right choice to make.It's a beautiful story and very sensitively directed. One poster commented there was too much nudity. They must be mistaking it with another movie because there was NO nudity whatsoever. It wasn't that kind of movie and the director didn't mess it up by forcing it unnecessarily into the movie as is done so often. I so appreciated that.There was a sexual scene that was NOT graphic, but would be too old for teens. A couple of swear words. I'm shocked this was referred to as a "horrible" movie. If you're into sex, violence, and gripping adrenaline, you may not like this. I like some adrenaline, but also introspective movies that touch the heart and draw me into the emotions of the main character. This is one of those movies. It is not at all sappy. I'm surprised I've never heard of this movie. It deserves more attention.

Alright, full disclosure: I am a man, so a movie that includes many scenes of quiet women writing thoughtful letters to each other about their feelings may not have been intended for me.Still, I'm an open-minded viewer and the movie touched on topics that are meaningful to me: as an immigrant: which country are you a part of, in the end? What happens when loved ones die overseas and you can't be there?In the end, this is the kind of movie where I spent a lot of time looking at my watch, in part because the pace is deliberate; in part because Saoirse Ronan's acting style is very understated; and mostly because the director never really made me care about the main character, who is an an Irish immigrant to Brooklyn, NY in the 1950s.For most of the movie, she is not an agent of her destiny: her decision to immigrate is not really hers, her job is picked by someone else, and the two romantic interests pursue her while she's holding back. Even at the end of the movie, when the pace finally picks up and she has to make THE big decision between her two suitors (and which country she wants to live in), she only makes her decision because (I can't say too much here) someone else leaves her no choice.She came across to me as a tad cold, apathetic, and also cruel in the way she led both men on. Not the kind of character I want to spend a couple hours with!Otherwise, it's a beautifully shot period piece. I just wish it had a heart.

We are peculiar nation: is there any nation in the world like us? That was built by such a variety of peoples?The native Americans have their own story of incredible hardship, but the rest of us also have tales of sacrifice and work...coming from distant lands. Some stories are harrowing and heroic struggles for survival. Some arrived in chains. Some died, or nearly did, on the frontier. Some worked in dangerous sweat shops. Some died in industrial accidents. Some died from epidemics or in child birth or in wars.But for others, it was not so bad: this is one of those stories. But even not so bad means leaving everything that you have known and loved, and coming to a place so different and so strange. Seldom if ever seeing beloved relatives...and not being there for their weddings or funerals. And yet, persevering and working to build up.I think that we are throwing all of that away...all of the sacrifice of our ancestors. We are depleting the capital of all that they built up. Countries do not live and grow if the do not have children...and we are below replacement rate. Deficit spending cannot continue indefinitely. Countries cannot thrived if they are twisted by self-hate.We are a varied people, and we must re-learn to value each other or we will follow the path of every other great nation in the history of the world.

Excellent performances by the supporting cast cannot drag this film from anything but the mediocre. Not enough camera time is allowed them to establish personalities, and there is no spark between the lead characters to make their relationship believable. Unrealistic hairstyles and clothes distract attention continuously so that I found myself saying – that jacket doesn't fit him, no-one would wear high heels in that situation, why does she not have a hair out of place, can't he stand up straight … Cannot the people who make these films talk to those who remember or use family photos to establish the 'look' of a time not just rely on convention or fashion magazines. A poor and unmemorable film.

I just love Saoirse Ronan. I watched this film on tv and thought it was amazing. Lovely Irish girls leaving Ireland for a better life in America. It was heart warming, funny, sad in places. I loved it so much and bought my best friend the DVD, as I know she will love it <3

I didn't love this film, I adored it for the reason that it is completely different to the other films out there at the moment. Its a beautiful storyline, and the best part is that there is no violence or special effects. Saoirse's character is beautifully portrayed and you can see her blossom. As for Tony, he reminds me of Andrew McCarthy (Pretty in Pink) at times. The innocence of Tony and Ellis's romance is a rare gem.Stunning, gorgeous and just plain bloody brilliant.

Beautiful, calm, simple story. I love the atmosphere of the movie, and read the book after seeing the movie in cinema. Other than a few minor simplifications and omissions, the movie is quite true to the book. If you're looking for action, this is obviously not your choice. If you enjoy a quiet but emotionally touching movie, you'll like this one.

A fabulous film telling a story of immigration / emigration that so many will relate to, as well the tender love story, the funny quips, the brilliant styling of that era and recognisable, relatable characters. I can watch this over and over again.