Customer Ratings & Reviews

Enjoyed this Brooklyn period piece extremely well. A wonderful love story for all time.

Is it too late to amend my Top 10 Movies of 2015? This little film finally showed up “at a theater near me” and so I took it in. The film features the excellent Saoirse Ronan (“Hanna” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel”) who got her first Oscar nom for 2007’s “Atonement.” She plays Eillis Lacey, an Irish lass of about 20. With the urging of her older sister Rose (Fiona Glascott, “House of Shadows”), she’s heading off for America, where she will settle in with other Irish emigres in Brooklyn. Director John Crowley (“Closed Circuit”) had me from the beginning. As the departing Eillis is waving goodbye to Rose and their mother, Mary (Jane Brennan), the camera closes in on the faces of the families on shore. Panning the camera to the left, we see others whose faces project the sadness of family members heading off to a new life across the Atlantic. Eillis isn’t sure about it all, but Rose has insisted she will find a better life there. Once she arrives, Eillis settles in at a boarding house run by Mrs. Keogh, (Julie Walters), thanks to Father Flood (Jim Broadbent). The landlady is a hoot as are the other tenants. Much different than I expected. She’s morally sensible but has no problem with the young women seeking a man. It seems a little off-putting in today’s world, but the ideal life in the early 1950’s was a man, a woman and children. Each of the ladies have small scenes at the nightly dinner table and rather than turn them into run-of-the-mill meanies or misfits, Crowley and screenwriter Nick Hornby give each a personality. It is really quite refreshing. As Eillis begins to adapt and moves on past her loneliness and regret, she meets Tony (Emory Cohen, “The Place Beyond the Pines”), a young Italian plumber, at a church dance. In a beautiful turn by Cohen, Tony is the perfect marrying type. He’s handsome, he’s polite, he has a job, and he’s ambitious. Everything seems to be working out. Even Eillis’s clerk job at a high end department store is going well. She’s taking night classes in bookkeeping and hopes to become an accountant, like her sister. Plans are interrupted however as events in her home country require a trip back. Once there, Eillis meets some old friends and eventually Jim Farrell (Domhnall Gleeson), another well-meaning bachelor from a wealthy family. They become friends quickly. Eillis is even given a part time job in her chosen field. What to do? Stay in Ireland or go back to Tony and New York. Frankly, the choice is difficult and Ms. Ronan handles the scenes brilliantly. I’m guessing she won’t win the Oscar this year, but if she does, I won’t be shocked…or disappointed. She’s in almost every scene and she’s terrific, as is the movie. Highly recommended.

I think it is the simplicity of the story and the straightforward and superb acting that make this a "winner." This DVD/BluRay/movie tells the story of a young woman who emigrates to the US from Ireland in order to "have a better life." Her family has decided that for her and has connected her with a Priest here who will help her "make her way." He finds lodging for her at a boarding house for young ladies like herself--supervised by a "good woman" and he has paved the way for a job for her. And the story unfolds from there. So it is a story about leaving home and moving far away with little to no preparation for such a major life change. She finds a "fella," a "good man," and she has some big challenges to navigate and some big decisions to make. All the actors are superb, especially Saoirse Ronan and Emory Cohen, her Italian "fella." Ms. Ronan has a very special quality about her which I cannot describe. I saw that same quality in her role in the movie Atonement, where she was a much younger person. Mr. Cohen kept reminding me of a cross between a young Johnny Depp and a young Frank Sinatra--such charm--"adorable," really. Jim Broadbent plays the Catholic Priest who is her mentor--and all I can say is that if I were Catholic, I would love it if he were my Priest. Very caring, very "human," and a very good mentor. Julie Waters plays the owner of the boarding house where Eilis lives and Domnall Gleeson plays another "love interest." They both add their own special "charm" to this lovely film. I went to see this movie twice while it was playing in the movie houses, and then I bought it because I like to watch my favorite movies many times.

On Oscar night I was rooting for either Mad Max: Fury Road or Brooklyn to win the Best Picture category (a few weeks later, I saw Bridge of Spies, another worthy contender; sadly, Todd Haynes brilliant Carol wasn't nominated). Brooklyn is a simple, universal tale, beautifully told. It's fairly straightforward and maybe a bit old-fashioned -- a story appealing not solely to immigrants, but to anyone who has ever lived in a new place where they felt themselves a bit of an outsider while trying to adapt to new surroundings. It's also a great story about growing up and finding your place in the world, making career decisions and considering marriage possibilities. The romance portion of the film might be a bit formulaic, but it's also completely charming thanks to the actors involved. Saoirse Ronan does an excellent job winning over the audience in a star-making role which should make her a household name. I wasn't a big fan of hers from Atonement, an excessively-praised, ironically-titled film that I actively disliked. Roles in Neil Jordan's vampire tale Byzantium and Wes Anderson's Grand Budapest Hotel helped to win me over and her endearing portrayal in this film has made me a fan. The Blu-ray extras include the trailer, deleted scenes, director commentary and about 21 minutes of EPK style interviews with cast and crew. The beautiful film and a solid video/audio transfer are reason enough to pick this up. I highly recommend Brooklyn, a film that you'd probably have to be a grumpy cynic not to love.

Watched this movie last night and loved it. Great love story that has a great story line. It made me tear up too. This is a great movie for just the girls, date night or by yourself.

Brooklyn is gorgeous and moving and all things warm and fuzzy without ever devolving into a Hallmark channel original. From the moment the film opens on a doe-eyed and innocent Saoirse Ronan working feverishly in a convenience shop in the early 1950's I was hooked by the effortless quality of the inviting atmosphere director John Crowley (Boy A, Closed Circuit) establishes. Even when a character as horrible as Ronan's prickly boss is present she can't dampen the mood of the eternally vibrant tone that radiates off this thing like a campfire in early fall. This immediate sense of safe familiarity allows for the rather objective-less story adapted from Colm Toibin's novel by Nick Hornby (About A Boy) to feel all the more profound and affecting as it unravels. While nothing that happens in Brooklyn will make you think too critically or give you a sense of accomplishment it is more a relaxing and comforting experience of a movie. It exists simply to make you feel something. Whether that something is overly sentimental or not will depend on your own mentality, but for the sake of my gullible and rather naive mind it was a perfectly cooked and plated dessert that made me feel cozy to the point of almost feeling gluttonous. Brooklyn gives and gives and never fails to keep you in line with it's simple narrative and somewhat complex emotional roller coaster that is complimented by its ability to paint its scenarios as simply as it can. Cheers to simplicity, to pleasantries and to being sappy; sometimes, it's all you need.

To put it simply, Brooklyn is a beautiful period drama and rich piece of romantic storytelling that boasts great performances by Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, and Domhnall Gleeson. The film has already generated a good deal of awards season buzz and deservedly so, as it brings its story of a simple young immigrant to life in a stirring and sensitive fashion – without ever being pretentious or insincere, in the process. Those who are willing to give this unabashedly old-fashioned drama a chance and see it in theaters should find themselves well-rewarded for their efforts. Plus, Saoirse Ronan said during an interview that she had to learn a specific Irish accent from nearly twenty minutes away from her hometown in Ireland. That shows to me that she's fully devoted to her character in the film and it shows greatly through her stellar performance. Overall, my final verdict 4.8/5 Stars!

Very well done dvd. Excellent movie and actors. My wife watches and watches it

Matt Heiser’s review published on Letterboxd : Brooklyn does everything right. Despite it's romantic core, it never does the predictable thing. The characters feel like they could be real people making actual decisions. A great coming-of-age film, up there with The Diary of a Teenage Girl and Girlhood as the best coming-of-age films of the year. The fact that that all three are from young women's point of views along with 2/3 of them being directed by women is a great sign of great work getting the chance to be appreciated. Saoirse Ronan is amazingly good, and Emory Cohen is a very solid romantic interest, and they make a sweet couple.

This movie is an excellent romance drama about a woman who had to leave her country for Brooklyn and experiencing the hardship of living at an unfamiliar place but eventually falling for a man who is making her realize that she made the right decision. A trip back home brought familiar and a comfortable life as well as a man whom she feels is someone she can be with. This movie is very relatable especially for immigrants looking for greener pasture but there's always that sense of wanting to be back and often having to make that decision. I highly recommend this great movie!

The movie "Brooklyn" was released before all of the controversy over immigration started at the present time..it shows the wonderful journey this young woman must face alone leaving so much behind. This movie is also a love story. I believe the filmmakers were able to capture not only what it must have been like back then and what she went through leaving Ireland. I have relatives who came over from Europe as well so this movie gives me idea of what they must have went through. If you get a chance, watch the movie "Brooklyn", trust me, you won't regret it.

My friend had seen this movie in the theater and said she'd like to see it again. I went with her and saw for myself how good it is. I wanted to treat my mom to it, but wasn't able to before it was no longer in the theater. I gladly purchased this on Blu-Ray so I could share it with her.

I had seen this movie , in the theater , and knew it was one that I would have to own . It's a lovely story , about a young Irish woman immigrating to America , on her own and very homesick . Story tells of her life , and love and her adjustments to a new culture . Then she faces a heart wrenching decision !!! it's a must see ,wholesome film !! I have shown it to friends , and they love it !! Luckily , I got it for an excellent price at Best Buys .. Online !!!

Ronan owned this film, from first to last. The storyline itself is a somewhat thin and a follows a well-trodden path but Ronan gives it such heft, and brings the intensity of her character's experience and development full force such that any deficiencies of the story seem inconsequential. Ronan was brilliant in this, and I struggle to think of any recent performances that can match this for the confidence and sure-footedness that she showed.

Brooklyn swoons with passion in this coming of age film set in the 1950's. Everything about this film is engrossing. Wether it's the spectacular acting from lead actress Saoirse Ronan, it's empeccable set design, spot on costume design, incredible screenplay....must I go on? In an age of overbearing love stories that make you gag, Brooklyn is one of the most honest films of true love I've seen in quite some time! Outstanding film!

"Brooklyn" is one of the best movies in recent years: terrific script, convincing and heartfelt performances, and great direction that guides the story but isn't showy. I've saw it on the big screen and then watched at home, and it was equally affecting on both size screens. The Blu Ray transfer is great, too. Highly recommended.

This film was 100% deserved of its Oscar nominations. Ronin gave her best performance to date and showed an emotional depth beyond her years as an actress. The cinematography and the set/costume design was spot on for the time period and the vividness of color was perfect.

Nothing was left out in telling this story of a young woman emigrating to America to create a new life for herself. Links with the Irish Catholic Church brought her to the borough of Brooklyn in New York City where she was found employment and lodgings. Watching her develop from a "green girl" new to America into a woman by seeking the various opportunities her new land offers is heartwarming. Romance takes her out of her Irish neighborhood and love brings her back to the new and rewarding life she created for herself. Not just a chick-flick, has meat on its bones.

Classic love story about an Irish immigrant and an Italian American. A lovely movie that employs the old-fashioned standards of moviemaking, Beautiful photography and a good solid story about how young Irish girl overcomes her shyness and cultural limitations to become polished and confident in her new found Americanism. Loved the especially nasty shopkeeper in Ireland and how the protagonist dealt with her.

This is an Academy Nominated film for Best Actress, for a well deserved performance of the story of Immigrants to Brooklyn, New York from Ireland. This is a film you can watch over and over again because it hits home with the story of how America is the Land of Immigrants and their struggles to make a Home here !