Brooklyn - A-

Rated PG-13, 112 minutes

Superbly acted, tender and touching, the drama "Brooklyn" is a compelling look at the tough choices faced by immigrants to America. Directed by John Crowley ("Closed Circuit") and written by "About a Boy's" Nick Hornby based on Colm Toibin's 2009 novel of the same name, it's partly a love story and partly an inspiring story of change and is one of the year's most touching stories. The film tells the story of an Irish immigrant named Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) in 1950s New York falls for Tony, an tough Italian plumber (Emory Cohen), but faces temptation from another Jim (Domhnall Gleeson) when she returns to her homeland for a visit. The poignant "Brooklyn" is most memorable for the remarkably mature, assured performance from Ronan, an American with her own Irish heritage and who holds dual citizenships in the U.S. and Ireland. This no doubt influenced her strong but sensitive portrayal, and her flawless Irish accent reminds of a young Meryl Streep, and on that note expect to see an Oscar nomination for her. Cohen as her Italian squeeze, is also affecting; rounding out the cast is Gleeson, who provides a quandary for the young Eilis, and Julie Walters, who steals all her scenes as the plain-spoken Irish woman Ms. Kehoe, who runs the boarding home where Eilis lives - those scenes about conversation and life at the table with Ms. Kehoe and the girls are among the many highlights of the film. The solid direction and script help the slow moving, character-driven film along and through some of its more calculated, sentimental times where you'll be reaching for your tissues. In addition to its touching story and acting, "Brooklyn," with its detailed vintage costumes and sets, also evokes 1950's New York City very well. Put this one on your list to see, especially for Ronan's astonishingly self-assured, confident turn that is a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination this year.