BROOKLYN (2015)

Saoirse Ronan is beautiful as Ellis Lacey in this Oscar nominee, about a young Irish girl who emigrates to America in the 1950's in search of a better life.  Leaving her mother and older sister Rose behind, after a tough journey by sea Ellis lands in Brooklyn where, thanks to a local priest (Jim Broadbent) she's already set up with a department store job and a room in a strictly-run, all-female boarding house.  Though loneliness and homesickness nearly drive her back home, thanks to Father Flood Ellis she toughs it out, until things change when she meets a handsome Italian boy, Tony (Emory Cohen).  The two become close, Ellis finding happiness in the States at last, when urgent news from home calls her back to Ireland ... and away from the boy she's grown to love.  Ronan leads a fine cast in this wonderful romantic drama; no explosions, dire circumstances or melodrama here, this is simply Ellis's story; the tale of a young woman finding her way, her life, and first love in a whole new world. (rated PG-13)  A-