Based on Colm Toibin’s book and set in the early 1950’s, Brooklyn is about Eilis Lacey, played by Saoirse Ronan – a young Irish girl who leaves her homeland for a more promising future in America.

Her sister Rose arranges sponsorship for her with an Irish priest in Brooklyn, who ensures that she has a job at a fancy department store and a place to live.

Julie Walters is delightful as the boarding mistress and Emory Cohen is endearing as Tony, the sweet, Italian boy who falls in love with Eilis, and gives her a sense of belonging.

The film beautifully weighs up the sense that love and happiness is almost always balanced with loss and sadness. It is just a beautiful movie and you should see it!

8/10