Brooklyn (2015 film)

Based on the novel by Colm Toibin, Brooklyn is the story of a young Irish woman who travels to America in the early 1950s where she falls in love with an Italian-American while being pulled back to her homeland. Directed by John Crowley and screenplay by Nick Hornby, the film is an exploration of a young woman trying to find herself in a new world while carrying elements of the old world with her. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, and Julie Walters. Brooklyn is a ravishing and evocative film from John Crowley.

Set in 1951, the film is the story of a young Irish woman who is given the chance to go to America with the help of a kindly priest as she encounters her new surrounding where she eventually falls for an Italian-American plumber until she is pulled back to her home. It’s a film that is about this young woman not only trying to find herself in a new world but also carry something of her own homeland where she is often given reminders as the borough of Brooklyn is filled with a lot of Irish immigrants. While the character of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) would endure homesickness and trying to fit in, she would eventually find herself loving her new world as well as being in a relationship with this Italian-American named Tony Fiorello (Emory Cohen) who is very different from the men she’s met in her life.

Nick Hornby’s screenplay definitely explores the sense of loneliness and uncertainty Eilis deals with as she would correspond with her old sister Rose (Fiona Glascott) during her stay in Brooklyn where Eilis also has to cope with the expectations of how to present herself in America. While there is that air of culture shock, Eilis does at least get the support of Father Flood (Jim Broadbent), her landlord Madge Kehoe (Julie Walters), and fellow lodgers who are also Irish immigrant to understand the way things work. Even in meeting Tony in a social outing would give Eilis a chance to see America and how diverse it is. The film’s third act would have Eilis return to Ireland because of family where she is drawn to not just changes in her hometown but also the presence of a new man in Jim Farrell (Domhnall Gleeson) who is kind and can offer Eilis a life in Ireland but it would play into the dramatic conflict that she faces.

John Crowley’s direction is truly mesmerizing not just for its look but also in re-creating the look of early 1950s Brooklyn and Ireland. With the locations in Ireland actually shot in areas near Dublin and the small town of Enniscorthy while the scenes set in Brooklyn were mainly shot in Montreal. Crowley creates a distinctive look for each setting as it play into the world that Eilis encounters where he utilizes some close-ups and medium shots to play into the intimacy of her world where she would work at a clothing store in Brooklyn. The scenes shot in Brooklyn have this more dream-like look to play into Eilis’ own growing love for the place as well as for Tony. Crowley’s usage of the wide shots would come into play for the second and third act where the latter would be once again set in Ireland as it plays into a world that is changing but also bear elements that Eilis would remember. Especially as it play into the dramatic conflict that Eilis would endure about whether to stay home in Ireland or return to life she was starting in Brooklyn. Overall, Crowley creates a rapturous yet intoxicating film about an Irish woman’s time in a new world.

Cinematographer Yves Belanger does incredible work with the film‘s cinematography from the usage of blue-green looks for some of the scenes set in Ireland to the usage of soft colors and lighting schemes for some of the interiors set in Brooklyn. Editor Jake Roberts does excellent work with the editing as it is largely straightforward to play into the drama as well as bits of humor. Production designer Francois Seguin, with art directors Irene O’Brien and Robert Parle and set decorators Suzanne Cloutier, Jenny Oman, and Louise Tremblay, does amazing work with the look of 1950s Brooklyn from the recreation of Coney Island to the look of the clothing shop that Eilis would work at. Costume designer Odile Dicks-Mireaux does brilliant work with the costumes from the different kind of clothes that Eilis would wear throughout the film as it play into her evolution as a person.

Hair designer Lorraine Glynn and makeup designer Morna Ferguson do nice work with the look of the characters in the hairstyles the women had at the time as well as the kind of makeup they used. Visual effects supervisor Andy Clarke does terrific work with the visual effects as it is mainly set dressing for some of the exteriors set in Brooklyn to recreate its look in the early 1950s. Sound designer Glenn Freemantle does superb work with the sound to play into the dancehalls in both Ireland and Brooklyn as well as some of the raucous sounds that happen in some of the locations in Brooklyn. The film’s music by Michael Brook is wonderful for its somber yet soaring orchestral score that play into the drama without overwhelming it while music supervisor Kle Savidge provides a soundtrack that mixes traditional Irish music with some of the contemporary music of the times.

The casting by Fiona Weir is great as it feature some notable small roles from Eileen O’Higgins as Eilis’ friend Nancy, Peter Campion as Nancy’s boyfriend George, Jenn Murray as an Irish immigrant who comes in during the film’s second half, Paulino Nunes and Ellen David as Tony’s parents, James DiaGiacomo as Tony’s youngest brother Frankie, Mella Caron as a young woman Eilis meets late in the film, and Eva Birthistle as a woman named Georgina who would give Eilis guidance on what to do when arriving in America. Emily Bett Rickards and Nora-Jane Noone are fantastic in their roles as Eilis’ housemates who are also Irish immigrants who are troublesome but fun while Jessica Pare` is terrific as Eilis’ boss Miss Fortini who shows Eilis how to present herself at work as well as give her tips on fashion.

Jane Brennan is wonderful as Eilis’ mother who copes with being alone as well as knowing that Eilis is far away while Fiona Glascott is excellent as Eilis’ older sister Rose who would be the one to get Eilis to America as she would correspond with her during Eilis’ time in America. Brid Brennan is brilliant as Miss Kelly as Eilis’ former employer back in Ireland who is quite cruel as she would have this great moment late in the film as she is a reminder of what Eilis doesn’t like about her home. Julie Walters is amazing as Madge Kehoe as a woman who runs a boarding house for Irish immigrant women to live in as she is this mixture of maternal warmth with a strict demeanor. Jim Broadbent is marvelous as Father Flood as this kind priest who would help Eilis find a place to stay as well as a job as he is this warm figure that is like a father of sorts for Eilis. Domhnall Gleeson is remarkable as Jim Farrell as this kind Irishman who is part of the rugby team as he is this gentleman that fascinates Eilis.

Emory Cohen is phenomenal as Tony Fiorello as this Italian-American who doesn’t play into traditional stereotypes of most Italians as he is someone that has simple ambitions while being very kind and gentlemanly towards Eilis. Finally, there’s Saoirse Ronan in a sensational performance as Eilis Lacey as this young Irish woman who travels to America where she copes with being homesick as well as culture shock where finally comes into her own and find a life in Brooklyn while displaying the anguish and internal conflict of returning to her homeland and the new life she has grown accustom to as it’s a career-defining performance for Ronan.

Brooklyn is a spectacular film from John Crowley that features a radiant performance from Saoirse Ronan. Along with Nick Hornby’s compelling script, gorgeous visuals, and a phenomenal supporting cast, it’s a film that isn’t just this touching story of a young woman in a new world and experiencing love but it is also a story of a woman finding her identity. In the end, Brooklyn is a tremendous film from John Crowley.

John Crowley Films: (Intermission) - Boy A - (Is Anybody There?) - (Closed Circuit)

© thevoid99 2016

Boy A

Based on the novel by Jonathan Trigell, Boy A is the story of a young man who has just been released from prison as he tries to return to a normal life while reflecting on his past. Directed by John Crowley and screenplay by Mark O’Rowe, the film is an exploration into the world of a young man trying to cope with his past and figure out what to do as a free man. Starring Andrew Garfield, Alfie Owen, Katie Lyons, and Peter Mullan. Boy A is a captivating yet harrowing drama from John Crowley.

The film is essentially the story of this young man named Eric Wilson (Andrew Garfield) who is released from prison after he and his friend had killed a young girl nearly 10 years ago. With the help of his parole officer Terry (Peter Mullan), Eric becomes Jack Burridge where he eventually starts a new life, makes new friends, and has a new girlfriend in Michelle (Katie Lyons). Yet, he becomes haunted by his past as he struggles to maintain his new life. Even as newspapers and such have him threatening everything as Terry tries to help him. It’s a film that explores a young man dealing with the guilt of what he’s done as well as loss where he tries to start anew with the help of a parole officer only for the past to return.

Mark O’Rowe’s screenplay moves back-and-forth to explore Eric’s attempt to live a normal life while he reflects on the past when he was a kid (Alfie Owen). Notably as he tries to live quietly as a normal young man who is shy and sensitive where he gets a job, a girlfriend, and makes new friends. Yet, he tries his best to stay away from trouble as he’s often checked on by this sympathetic parole officer who is having his own problems with his son living at his home doing nothing but drink and watch TV. The script does allow the character of Eric to feel comfortable though he is still troubled by the past where it would take a few things that would play to his paranoia. At the same time, he struggles to deal with the fact that he’s in a relationship with a young woman as he wants to be truthful to her.

John Crowley’s direction is quite stylish in the way he frames certain scenes as well as setting a mood for the film’s flashback scenes. Shot largely in Manchester and parts of Blackpool in England, it’s a film where this young man is attempting to start over where he has a hard time at first adjusting to normalcy while doing whatever he can to please his parole officer who also wants to see good results. A lot of Crowley’s approach to framing is very unique where he has this entrancing approach to placing an actor in the frame and on a certain location. There’s also lots of tracking shots to follow Eric around as he’s on the move while the flashback scenes are more wide open as it’s often shot in canals and some grimy locations. Notably as it reveals a lot of parallels on who Eric was as a child and later on as a young man dealing with guilt. Overall, Crowley creates a very entrancing yet gripping drama that explores the world of guilt and loss.

Cinematographer Rob Hardy does excellent work with the photography as a lot of the daytime exteriors are straightforward and colorful while some of the nighttime interior and exterior settings are very stylized including a scene at the club. Editor Lucia Zucchetti does brilliant work with the editing by employing lots of stylish jump-cuts to play up the rhythms as well as creating smooth transitions for the film‘s flashback scenes. Production designer Jon Henson, along with art director Andrea Hughes and set decorators Anita Gupta and Robert Wischhusen-Hayes, does nice work with some of the set pieces from the factory that Eric works at as well as the nightclub he goes to.

Costume designer Julian Day does very good work with the costumes as it‘s mostly straightforward as a lot of the characters wear casual clothes while the young Eric wears a schoolboy uniform. Sound editor Paul Davies does great work with the sound from the atmosphere of the club scenes to the intimacy presented between Eric and whoever he‘s conversing with. The film’s music by Paddy Cunneen is wonderful as it is a mixture of plaintive piano music with a dash of folk-driven pieces to play up the film‘s melancholic tone. Music supervisor Liz Gallacher creates a superb soundtrack that features an array of electronic pieces by Robyn, Hot Chip, Mylo, and Mint Royale.

The casting by Fiona Weir is fantastic as it features some memorable small performances from Taylor Doherty as Eric’s childhood friend Philip, Skye Bennett as the young girl they killed, Shaun Evans as Eric’s new friend Chris, and Siobhan Finneran as Eric’s new landlady who has no idea who he really is. Alfie Owen is great as the young Eric who is this shy boy who feels lonely as he finds a friend in Philip. Katie Lyons is wonderful as Eric’s new girlfriend who is intrigued by him while wondering why he’s so shy. Peter Mullan is amazing as Eric’s parole officer Terry who is trying to make sure Eric does well while telling him to break away from the past as he’s also dealing with his estranged son.

Finally, there’s Andrew Garfield in an incredible performance as Eric Wilson/Jack Burridge. Garfield displays a sensitivity that is engaging to watch as well as a young man just trying to lay low while dealing with the guilt over what he’s done as well as loss. There’s also a darkness in Garfield’s performance where he can be dangerous but often maintains control where he also exudes a sense of awkwardness in the film’s club scene. It’s truly a performance that is just a marvel to watch as it is an indication that Garfield is one of the best young actors to emerge in the late 2000s.

Boy A is an astonishing film from John Crowley that features an unforgettable performance from Andrew Garfield. The film is definitely an intriguing piece on guilt and loss as well as young’s man attempt to find redemption and start anew. While it’s a drama that does feature some unsettling moments, it is still a story that is just compelling to watch. In the end, Boy A is a remarkable film from John Crowley.

John Crowley Films: (Intermission) - (Is Anybody There?) - (Closed Circuit) - Brooklyn (2015 film)

© thevoid99 2013