Eilis Lacey, an Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn and quickly falls in love. But when Eilis’ past catches up with her, she must choose between two countries and two possible lives.
Film critic Mark Kermode hailed Brooklyn as ‘a moving, emotionally intelligent and refreshingly old-fashioned movie.’ It harks back to simpler films which focused on characters over exposition and is a beautifully shot film that thoughtfully explores life in the 1950s.
There is little keeping Eilis (Oscarnominated Saoirse Ronan) in Ireland; with no job prospects, her older sister Rose contacts Father Flood (Jim Broadbent), an Irish priest in Brooklyn. Flood finds her space in a boarding house for young ladies and a job at a department store. Although homesick, Eilis finds a new community among the Irish immigrants and a boyfriend. Her sister’s death takes her home where she is presented with another life.
Adapted from the Colm Toibin novel, Brooklyn isn’t afraid to explore two key questions: who is your family and where is your home?
The idea of immigration and being torn between two homes is one that will resonate with your young people in light of the refugee crisis. As Brooklyn plays out, we see various answers to these questions, be it through religion, romance, country of origin or current community.
In this clip, we see Eilis enjoying life in America with her boyfriend. When Rose dies, Eilis is faced with the sadness of family tragedy and, talking to her mother on the phone, she is left feeling guilty and responsible for her mother’s loneliness. Show the clip and then discuss:
- Do you think Eilis should return home, or stay in America?
- Have you ever had to make a tough decision where you left people or things behind?
- What makes somewhere ‘home’?
- What things in life should people prioritise? What do they prioritise in our world today?
Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 and discuss:
- What do you think this passage is saying?
- What idea of eternal life does this passage present - do you agree with it?
- Verse seven is a phrase heard a lot in Christian communities - is that a good or bad way to approach our lives?
- Is it wrong for a Christian to feel homesick or sad when we are told to be excited about eternal life?
Brooklyn is a gentle film (so won’t please the action hungry) but it is a superb exploration of life, home, family and love. As always, if you get the opportunity, watch the whole film to help your young people see the clip within its context.
Tom Wade is head of religious education at Samuel Ryderin St Albans.
