Brooklyn is as charming as it is heartfelt, an immigrant story of deep affection driven by stunning performances, beautifully crafted filmmaking and an emotional well that is genuinely profound.

There is a tone, a texture, a deeply felt tenderness to Brooklyn that makes it not only a film to be admired, but to be cherished. Its central story of an immigrant’s attempt to assimilate in a new world is one attempted many a time before, yet they rarely hit the emotional pay dirt that this John Crowley (Intermission) directed film does so magnificently well.

Based on the novel by Colm Toibin, this 1950s set film stars a career best Saoirse Ronan as Eilise Lacey, an Irish immigrant who leaves behind her fragile mother (Jane Brennan) and loving sister (Fiona Glascott) to make a better life for herself in the New York City borough of Brooklyn with the help of Catholic priest Father Flood (Jim Broadbent, who brings gravitas and warmth to a minor role).

Stricken with homesickness, Eilise finds love and solace in the form of Italian American plumber Tony, played by Emory Cohen with an easy going yet infectious charisma that leaves quite the impression and meshes incredibly well with Ronan’s delicate – yet never intimidated – rose of a character in Eilise.

It is indeed Ronan who drives Brooklyn, appearing in almost every scene and displaying confidence and grace while doing so. Although seemingly peaking at the age of 13 with an Oscar nomination for her performance in Atonement, Ronan has only gone from strength to strength with every role since culminating in what is now her best performance to date, beautifully hitting all of those emotional cues and character subtleties that results in a performance where strength and sensitivity go hand in hand.

Also excellent is Julie Walters as a bossy, straight shooting, and hilarious boarding house owner who steals scenes with gusto.

As directed by Crowley and adapted by Nick Hornby (About a Boy), there is much to love about Brooklyn. It’s unashamed old school style and charm evokes the era of Classic Hollywood (yet never coasts as a nostalgia trip), and its characters are beautifully written and portrayed and worthy of our heart and time. In short, Brooklyn is a beautiful, soul enriching experience.