IT WAS glitz and glamour all the way at The Riverside Park Hotel on Wednesday night as the Brooklyn premiere took place in front of a packed house and a party atmosphere ensued for what was termed the movie’s “homecoming”.
The red carpet was rolled out, the promenade was decked out in lights and you’d almost be blinded by the amount of flashing cameras as photographers and TV crews worked to capture the moment with the likes of Colm Tóibín and actress Eve Macklin on the red carpet.
Huge posters for the movie hung all over the reception area of the hotel, with two big Oscar statues erected at either end of the red carpet – perhaps a sign of things to come. Inside the official reception, a selection of photographs from Ibar Carty were on display while a trailer for the film played in the background on the big screen.
The excitement was palpable as people wondered exactly how their hometown would be portrayed to the world, or indeed if they made the cut as an extra. The movie was always going to be a popular one on Slaneyside, however, having seen it for the first time, I can honestly say that it’s popularity should not just be confined to Wexford and Ireland, but it has a global appeal as a classic story of love and loss.
There was pin-drop silence in the Slaney Ballroom as the lights went down and the movie started to play. This was quickly followed by excited whispers as soon as the star of the movie actress Saoirse Ronan emerged from the front door of a house on John Street when the movie began. It has to be said, Enniscorthy looked marvellous. When going about your daily business, it can be easy to forget just how rich in history and how beautiful parts of the town are. Streets like John Street, Court Street and Lower Church Street haven’t changed all that much over the years and thus, with a little bit of help, leant themselves perfectly to portraying 1950s Ireland. Enniscorthy’s Athenaeum looked stunning as the audience were transported to the dancehalls of old. Another scene which really jumped out was one filmed at Curracloe beach. It looked absolutely stunning and no doubt quite a few tourists will want to visit as a result.
I have to say, I wasn’t expecting the film itself to be my cup of tea, but from the very beginning it sucks you in and doesn’t let go. The cinematography is a glory to behold and everything is done with a meticulous level of detail.
Although there was some disappointment on the night that leading lady Saoirse Ronan was not present, her performance in the film was magnificent and it is little wonder that she is being tipped for an Oscar for her depiction of Eilis Lacey.
In this day and age when travel has become so relatively easy, it’s hard to imagine leaving home for America and knowing that you may never return or see your loved ones again. The film stirs feelings that must be familiar to many. It has a massive appeal not just for an Irish audience, but also for an American audience – most of whom will have descended from someone arriving, suitcase in hand, just like the main character did. The film covers teething problems as a small town girl, who is used to knowing every street and every person in Enniscorthy, tries to get used to the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn and create a life for herself somewhere that is completely alien to her. It’s only when Eilis meets Tony (Emory Cohen) that she begins to embrace life at the far side of the Atlantic. In an age of “Tinder” and internet dating, many would believe that chivalry is long dead and buried, however, the blossoming of a relationship between Eilis and Tony, which is helped by the massive on-screen chemistry enjoyed by Ronan and Cohen, takes you back to a simpler time when a man truly had to woo a lady and it was beautifully done – no doubt staying true to Colm Tóibín’s original writing.
When tragedy strikes at home, Eilis is forced to return, only to find that the life she wanted before she left for Brooklyn is waiting for her. Then she is left with the difficult choice of whether to give up the love and new life she has found in America for her family and the more familiar surrounds of Enniscorthy.
The film is well worth seeing, not just because of it’s connections to Enniscorthy, but because it’s simply a very good, well-made film too. All the talk of Oscars in relation to Brooklyn are not over-stating it’s appeal and it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to imagine that a little bit of Enniscorthy might just make it to the glitz and glamour of the Oscars in February. Brooklyn goes on general release to cinemas on Friday.
For more on the Brooklyn premiere, including exclusive interviews with the cast, crew and the man of the moment himself Colm Tóibín, pick up a copy of this week’s Echo.
Colm Tóibín, Eve Macklin and Gary Lydon pictured at the Brooklyn Premiere in the Riverside Park Hotel. Pic: John Walsh