Brooklyn, a 2015 romantic period drama now streaming on Netflix, has captivated audiences with its 'charming' storyline, 'heart-warming' characters and 'phenomenal' performances. Viewers have hailed the film as a 'standout' that is 'emotionally satisfying' and 'truly lovely', while critics have praised the lead actress's performance.
A Story of Love and Choice
Directed by John Crowley with a screenplay by Nick Hornby, Brooklyn is adapted from Colm Tóibín's 2009 novel of the same name. Saoirse Ronan leads the cast, alongside Emory Cohen and Domhnall Gleeson, with support from Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, Jessica Paré, Eve Macklin, Bríd Brennan and Jenn Murray.
The official plot states: "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."
Critical and Audience Praise
Brooklyn received widespread critical acclaim on release, earning three Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actress for Ronan. Ronan also received Best Actress nominations at the BAFTAs, the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Critics' Choice Awards.
The film holds a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic said: "Brooklyn is heart-warming, funny, and thought-provoking. It also looks just ravishing." Another called it "Simple, sublime perfection."
A further review read: "Brooklyn is a sweet, moving, gorgeously-shot tale about a woman trying to find where she belongs. If I see a better film this year, I'll be surprised." Another critic added: "I can't spot a single thing wrong with Brooklyn. An Oscar-calibre package; start betting on victory for Ronan, at the least. Heart-warming, light-hearted, and perfectly poised. Simple. Beautiful. Lovely."
Viewer Reactions
Audience members have been equally enthusiastic. One viewer wrote: "I watched Brooklyn with one of the biggest grins I've ever experienced. What a beautiful and heart warming tale of immigration and love, and the struggles that accompany them. I loved this. It is definitely going up there with the rest of my beloved favourites. I recommend this very heavily to anyone looking to smile, to shed a few tears, and to just have an enjoyable experience."
Another fan said: "Beautifully stunning film. The entire cast was phenomenal, Saoirse Ronan's performance was absolutely remarkable and she's long overdue for an Oscar in my opinion. I'm not really into romance movies, but I've watched this film multiple times and it never fails to impress." They added: "The story is pure and heartwarming, exploring themes of life, the concept of home, and love. It's moving while not feeling 'cheesy' at all. The cinematography is striking, and the humour is great, too. Definitely a must-watch."
Brooklyn is currently streaming on Netflix.
