Log in / Sign up
This is an exceptional film. At first, I thought the story was a bit ho-hum, but then I realized that the story was one that should resonate with tens of thousands of families across Canada and the United States -- the immigrant experience: the opportunities in the new world versus the emotional ties to the old. This film is not a "star turn", a vehicle for enhancing the career and profile of the lead actor/actress. Instead, all of the acting is beautifully understated, so that the story remains dominant in the viewer's mind. To be sure there is a star, Saoirse Ronan, but only because her character, Eilis Lacey, is central to the story. But she and all of the other players carry their parts perfectly. In addition, there are none of the usual tricks for keeping the viewer's attention such as violence and nudity; there is only the story, beautifully told. This film is a worthy recipient of all of the Academy Awards for which it has been nominated: Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay; I am surprised only by the fact that it did not receive other nominations, including Best Direction. A cinematic "tour de force"; go and see it, and be better for having done so.
There is a problem with your e-mail address and we are unable to communicate with you. Please go to My Account to update your email.
Please choose a username to sign your comments. Only letters, digits, dash - or period. Minimum 4 characters.
Your age and sex:
We publish all comments, except abusive, at our discretion.
I think this comment was wisely thought out and the observation that the acting was 'understated' in comparison to the story is spot on. The novel is much the same and the actors and director have captured this. Restraint is everything here on so many levels. Nothing flashy. Even the scenery was 'nice', but never over the top like a typical Hollywood film. Mongrel media produced the film along with the efforts of Irish, Canadian and Quebec funding. Montreal was Brooklyn, but the mostly interior shots made that detail unimportant. Mongrel means quality and the films are most often story and/ or character driven. Nice to see so many people across the age graph have given this film an A rating!