Review of Brooklyn (2015) by Jesse K — 11 Oct 2016

5/5 Revisiting Brooklyn was such a perfect experience and I am beyond happy to bump it up to five stars.

Brooklyn is magical. I have such a hard time describing why I feel the way I do about certain films. So to convey why this story captivates me with such intensity seems near-impossible. Every moment is rife with detail - beautiful and innocent detail. Each gesture, each glance, every shot - it all feels as if it's crafted with nothing but pure love for not only storytelling, but life itself and the adversities we all face during times of transition and emotional dilemmas.

On my second viewing I have realized that Brooklyn is not a romance, at least not directly. It's a coming-of-age film. However, there is plenty of romance, but not merely between Eilis and the men in her life. It's a romance for a place and time. A passion for these two homes Eilis shares and the two lives she's built within them, and this passion is what leads Eilis to grow as a woman. The act of leaving her family and the town she grew up in is simultaneously heartbreaking and exciting. The events that follow are even more so.

Every scene has something to analyze or reflect on (although it helps having seen it already) and each choice carries so much weight despite appearing so simple. That's another reason I love Brooklyn. It favours simplicity and the bigger picture over cliches and romantic melodrama. It always knows where it's going, unlike our protagonist. I should mention that Saoirse Ronan herself is pure perfection.

I must also add that visually this film is stunning, from the delightful costumes to the gorgeous cinematography. The score is a highlight as well, conjuring even more emotional heft without feeling manipulative.

Upon my first viewing I felt that Brooklyn was rushed in the third act and didn't come to a satisfying conclusion. And while I wouldn't mind an additional twenty minutes or so, I am perfectly content with the way things wrap up now. I absolutely cherish this magnificent work of art and hope my third viewing, whenever it may be, will be just as wonderful.