"Brooklyn" Is Old School Hollywood Magic

Author Colin Toibin wrote in his novel, "Brooklyn" that his protagonist Ellis Lacey and her family could, "do everything except say out loud what they were thinking." In the film adaptation of that same novel, Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan makes this aspect of her character incredibly clear through her incredibly textured performance. Over the course of the movie's near two hour running time, we see the evolution and growth of a young woman in an unfamiliar land play out beautifully across her expressive face.

Saorsie Ronan Stuns in the Gorgeous, Affecting First Trailer for "Brooklyn"

I have to admit, as intrigued as Saorsie Ronan's involvement in director John Crowley's film "Brooklyn" made me, I wasn't that excited about the film to put it on my must see list. Ronan, Oscar-nominated for her understated work in 2007's "Atonement", hasn't really had a great film since "Hanna", but as an actress, she's a knockout. Even in mixed bags like "The Lovely Bones" she finds ways to elevate dull material with her expressive eyes.

However, watching the first trailer, the ecstatic reaction the film received after its bow at Sundance makes me need to see the film. This might be the gold Ronan needed to ascend to true leading lady status, and an Oscar doesn't seem too far out of her reach.

Based on the novel by Colom Tóbín, Ronan plays Ellis, a young woman who immigrates from Ireland to New York City during the 1950s in search of work, and a better life. After finding a job and a home (run by a strict landlady, played by Julie Walters, she meets Tony, a young Italian plumber. The two are instantly smitten, but when her sister passes away, she's called back to Ireland to help her family. Her past life disrupts the beautiful dream she's made for herself in America, and suddenly, Ellis is torn between her love in America, and her love back home.

Ronan, being front and center, spells good things for the film's awards chances. It seems like a very naturalistic, yet complex, role, and after last season being so male-dominated, it's refreshing to see a woman's story at the front of the awards contenders, and handled with such sensitivity.

Distributed by Fox Searchlight, the film will be released on November 6, aka, the perfect time for Oscar contenders.

Watch the trailer below.