Brooklyn

Last year, he translated Cheryl Strayed's memoir Wild into cinematic form. Now, author Nick Hornby has done the same to Colm Tóibín's historical novel Brooklyn. As realized by director John Crowley, this is an engaging romantic story.

Around 1951, Eilis Lacey (Saorise Ronan) lives and works in her Irish town. Her sister Rose (Fiona Glascott) arranges for her to move to Brooklyn for a better job. She lives in a boarding house run by feisty Mrs. Kehoe (Julie Walters). But soon, Eilis starts missing her home and family. She then meets Tony (Emory Cohen), a good guy from an Italian-American family. They fall in love but are threatened with separation when home calls for Eilis.

That's the basic premise of the movie. And it works because of the characters. Especially so with Eilis. She's a hard-worker, but not exactly prepared for life away from home. The movie is all about her adjusting to life not just overseas, but in general.  The audience will like her every step of the way.

The supporting cast adds to the goodness. Mrs. Kehoe is hysterical and her other boarding house tennants are likable. Tony's brother Frankie was great comic relief. Crowley did right when he cast these roles. Everyone of them is a memorable character.

Crowley's crew helps visualize 1950's New York. Odile Dicks-Mireaux's costumes are eyecatching pastel designs. The photography by Yves Bélanger is just as pleasant as the sets and costumes. Speaking of sets, its depiction of Coney Island makes for an appealing promotion. The score by Michael Brooks sets the romantic mood well.

Brooklyn easily reminded me of An Education, which Hornby also wrote. Both are simple romantic stories told well by endearing characters. Seeing both protagonists wiser at the end was the payoff. When Brooklyn is done, you'll have gone through an endearing 112 minutes.