MovieChat Forums > Brooklyn (2015) Discussion > I really hope this isn't supposed to be ...

I really hope this isn't supposed to be a great love story

posted 9 years ago by number9-4
10 replies | jump to latest

Seems more like a story about the power of having one's own identity and place in the world. That's what seemed to draw her back to New York, after all, not some epic love for Tony.

But some people are touting it as a great love story. Huh? That barely after marrying Tony, she can't bare to read his letters and is spending all this time with another guy, and only goes back to him when she gets annoyed that the village bully calls her out on her two-timing?

If her choice at the end was supposed to be a touching demonstration of Eilis's enduring love for Tony in spite of all the temptation back in Ireland, it didn't pull it off very well. As the viewer, I felt like she actually was developing more genuine feelings for Jim, but the temptation to go off on her own and stick it to Ms. Kelly and all that she represents about her native village was too great and blinded her (not to mention that she'd already tied the knot with Tony).

[–] jaywickforever 9 years ago

All my friends told me what a wonderful love story this was. What! Her lovely young husband obviously adored her, but her denial of him and their marriage made me seethe. The film left me cold.

[–] number9-4 9 years ago

Yeah, it was just weird. This seemed almost more like a kind of realistically depressing story about how people base even huge life decisions (like who to marry) on rather unrelated or trivial things, because she never seemed that into Tony, even before Jim came around.

But it was like that classic case where a girl likes that a nice guy adores her and treats her well, so, hey, might as well settle down for a nice comfortable life with him than wait for a real love who may or may not come along.

[–] jname967 9 years ago

^ Great point.

Other people have mentioned this on the board: Ellis didn't really seem to do much, or care much in this movie. She was more of just a product of circumstance—which can be interesting, but not here. Her story wasn't powerful or riveting. She had a pretty bland story, honestly.

[–] number9-4 9 years ago

Ellis didn't really seem to do much, or care much in this movie. She was more of just a product of circumstance—which can be interesting, but not here. Her story wasn't powerful or riveting. She had a pretty bland story, honestly.

I almost feel like maybe that's why some people think it's so good? Because she's just an ordinary girl going through a lot of stuff and finds her own little way getting by without a lot of melodrama? It still didn't appeal to me, though. The only time I felt much of anything for Eilis was when she cried over being homesick. Even when her sister died, she didn't seem all that upset.

[–] Bigs944 9 years ago

I think you guys are interpreting this all wrong and it's interesting to me because I wonder if anyone who commented on this thread was or ever has been an ex pat? I don't think they really understand how building a life away from home and returning home for a few weeks can be one of the most disarming experiences you will ever feel. It truly makes you realize you live a dual life.

For me I totally related to and understood Ellis' reactions from the start.

She was completely home sick, starting her adult life, away from home, friends and anything she ever knew. It's no wonder that she was cold and apprehensive with Tony. Falling in love with Tony meant that she would be leaving Ireland for good.

This isn't a love story as much as it is a story about a young woman forging her own identity and life. Many people who leave home can relate to this and those who don't don't always know this struggle and what drives a person to do this and what sorts of conflicting inner struggles arise from it. They take all that for granted so it's easy to see a love story as the only purpose to the film and make it about team Tony or team Jim.

With Jim she barely knew him long enough to form any real emotional connection with him. And I don't think she was even really tempted by him. What he represented for her was a window into what life could be like should she stay in Ireland. Which she was also looking to find reasons to do due to guilt about leaving her grieving mother alone to go back to her own life in the US.

Ellis going back to Brooklyn and back to tony was of course self motivated. And of course tony had a lot to do with it. A life in America with an adoring husband she loves. But it's part of the package and she needed to want the WHOLE package because she couldn't have both Tony and Ireland, that wasn't part of the equation.

As an ex pat you soon realize what it's like to not have centralized love, meaning you love people who are geographically apart from you. You can't have it both ways, if you fall in love in another country your life with that person won't include your family. It won't be as simple as other people who have never left home.

This is a daunting thing and something that is not easy to decide if you want to be a part of.

[–] Dagwoodie 9 years ago

Nice post, Bigs.

[–] hernemesis 9 years ago

As an ex pat you soon realize what it's like to not have centralized love, meaning you love people who are geographically apart from you. You can't have it both ways, if you fall in love in another country your life with that person won't include your family. It won't be as simple as other people who have never left home.

I'm from Ireland, and I've lived here for almost twenty years. I'm married to an American and when we were newly engaged, I went home to spend time with my ailing father. I stayed longer than I intended due to his illness but no way did I ever consider staying there, despite the desire to be with family and friends. I wanted to be with my fiancé, wherever that may be. Someone who is in love isn't going to hesitate about where she belongs, she belongs with her lover/husband (and vice versa). IMO, Eilis didn't truly love Tony but he was her ticket to a better life, one that she wasn't sure she wanted when she returned home...that is until she was confronted by the nasty shop owner.

I've watched this movie three times because it reminds me of home and while I understand her longing for home, I cannot relate to her behavior once she gets there, except to note that she is obviously tempted to stay and start a new life there.

You talk about only ex-pats understanding her feelings, but anyone who has ever been in love will understand the power of real love, and how the pain of being apart can be devastating and heartbreaking. Obviously not for Eilis, even though she was a newlywed. She didn't even bother writing to him or reading his letters. Then along comes the shop owner with her insinuations and suddenly Eilis is on a boat back to Tony. Okay, probably the right decision for her, but not real love, is it?

[–] InfoBabe 9 years ago

Bigs, I am so glad you wrote that post. I was so angry with the shallow, holier than thou, judgmental comments on this board. It is not a love story. It is about strong emotions pulling a person apart with no resolution, just choosing to take one of the paths though painful, but all choices are painful.

My mother was English. She never stopped wanting to return. She married my father in England and came to the US when he returned, and no, she was not a war bride. She died a British Subject though she lived in the US 60 years. I viewed her longing first hand but I could do nothing to resolve the dilemma. Of course she went back and forth, but she was never completely happy here.

I always advise to not move away from your loved ones if at all possible. Different countries, different continents are the least desirable.

[–] galluslass 9 years ago

I don't think it's meant to be a great love story at all. Just a fairly realistic, undramtic and honest portrayal of life for young Irish immigrants in Brooklyn. Most stories of folk getting together back the. Weren't great love stories. You met a boy, often just got married fairly quick to get out of your parents house and sharing a bed with your 2 sister. You got married young to the first decent guy that asked to escape and have some independence and to feel grown up. It was just expected and there was little choice I guess. We're folk expecting Jack and Rose?

[–] digitaldiva 9 years ago

Hi galluslass,

I agree with you, the film was not meant to be a grand romance. Like you I thought it was an honest character study of a young girl who had to return home to find herself. I agree, some people were expecting Jack and Rose, but that's not what Brooklyn was.