Brooklyn Bridge

OK I admit it. I am not a Holiday Blockbuster fan. Yes I will occasionally head to AMC Hamiton on a holiday weekend (as I did the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, which seemed to be the busiest movie day of the year), and I will no doubt do so on Christmas weekend. So if there are any of you out there who like me would rather catch an independent movie or "small" film over big budget extravaganzas, I highly recommend Brooklyn.

I read Colm Toibin's wonderful homage to the Brooklyn of old -- before gentrication, coffee houses, artisanal beer and kale galore -- a few years ago, so when I heard it was made into a movie, I hesitated before going. It's hard to make a movie as good as a great book (bad books are another story!) and there's always something that doesn't quite gel from the reading experience. But in this case, Brooklyn the movie does not disappoint.

Interestingly enough, the wonderful star of the movie, Saorise Ronan, was the young scene stealer in another movie that was just about as good as the book - Atonement. And in Brooklyn, along with Ronan, there is a child scene stealer who had me howling with laughter every time he opened his mouth - James DiGiacomo -- who plays the young Frankie, brother of Saorise's love interest.

The movie has a terrific cast, a well-done adapted screenplay, but it shines brightest because of Ronan. You can't take your eyes off of her, and her eyes have it - the weight of the world, a girl in love, a girl in grief. She is an Oscar contender in my book.

Our next Cate Blanchett perhaps? Next up for watching - Carol featuring Cate B and another favorite - Rooney Mara - who was terrific in "Girl with Dragon Tatoo" (another great movie from great book).

Happy Holidays and see you at the movies!

10 Things Happening This November in Princeton
November 03, 2021 By Rachel Fullan

Jane says to Take a Bite
October 10, 2021 By Jane Hynes

10 Things to do This Spring in Princeton

Love and Friendship - Whit Stillman revisits Austen novella
July 01, 2016 By Wendell Collins

The Revenant & Hologram for the King
May 13, 2016 By Wendell Collins

The Green Road
April 11, 2016 By Wendell Collins

Academy Awards Redux
March 04, 2016 By Wendell Collins

The Big Short
January 09, 2016 By Wendell Collins

Shoulda Coulda Been a Contenda
February 22, 2015 By Wendell Collins

Man or Machine, the elements and more
January 10, 2015 By Wendell Collins

Most Wanted Men
August 05, 2014 By Wendell Collins

I Know Why The Goldfinch Sings
May 07, 2014 By Wendell Collins

Bingewatching the Oscars
March 12, 2014 By Wendell Collins

Spies and Lies
August 12, 2013 By Wendell Collins

Mud Season For Movies
April 11, 2013 By Wendell Collins

A Dog's Life

My dog Tucker, protesting Uggie's shutout

Do Men Read?
February 09, 2010 By Peter E. Gibson