I was surprised to look back at my review of Brooklyn and find that I was muted in my appreciation of the book. Let me proclaim in a big loud voice, then, that I absolutely loved the film. Of course, having read the book, I knew what was going to happen and so every scene was pregnant for me with its later sorrow and complexity.
It was rather disconcerting to see that Nick Hornby was credited for the screenplay over Colm Toibin as the original author, especially as the film was so faithful to the book generally (with perhaps a reservation about the explicitness of the ending). What a strange priority.
It’s beautiful, as is Saoirse Ronan. One of my favourite films for the year so far.
The Resident Judge of Port Phillip 