Retro Series: A Relationship Blooms in “Brooklyn”

“Brooklyn,” a new romance movie, is a must-see this holiday season.

Sammi Tester, Editor of Student Opinion

Set in the 1950s, “Brooklyn” explores the romantic relationship between an Irish immigrant, Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), and Tony Fiorello (Emory Cohen). The movie begins with Eilis in Ireland, living a miserable life working for the awful Miss Kelly (Bríd Brennan). Her sister, Rose (Fiona Glascott), has arranged with Father Flood (Jim Broadbent) a living arrangement and workplace for Eilis in America. Eilis packs her one suitcase with her few clothes and says her goodbyes to her family, promising to see them again sometime soon. The ship headed to America had a stormy night in which Eilis got seasick; the neighboring room locked her out of the bathroom, making her go to extremes not to make a mess. The woman on the bunk below her gives her important advice for when she’s about to enter the country. She makes it through and when she opens the doors, a heavenly white light shines through.

At a dance for Irish immigrants, who are plentiful in Brooklyn, Tony and Eilis meet (even though he’s Italian), dance together, and he walks her home. Their relationship blossoms from there and Eilis becomes much happier and better at her job. A couple dates later, Tony tells her that he loves her, but she didn’t respond. She was afraid she ruined everything the next day when he was running late to walk her home from her night class. However, when he runs up to her, she tells him that if he were to ever tell her “I love you” again, she would say “I love you, too.” The romance finds its first obstacle when Tony invites her to have dinner with his family. Two girls at the house she lives in teach her how to properly eat Italian food.

The next obstacle comes when Eilis finds out Rose had died. She goes to Ireland, but not before she marries Tony at City Hall. While there, her friend sets her up with Jim Farrell (Domhnall Gleeson), an eligible man with a rich family. She gets a little work there and starts to have feelings for Jim and stops writing back to Tony. Eventually, though, she realizes where her true love is.

“Brooklyn” is definitely a must-see! All my emotions were running throughout the movie. Eilis’ outfits were perfect and were honest to the setting. Her outfits correspond very well to the time period and fashion that was popular at the time, and her yellow dress and royal blue sweater were a special favorite of mine. Yet, the absolute best part was when Tony took Eilis to Coney Island and whistled when he first saw her in her stunning green bathing costume. Tony and Eilis are definitely my relationship goals. 11 out of 10 would recommend seeing in theaters; I’ll probably see it a second time and buy it when it comes out on DVD, too.