The crux of "Brooklyn" is simple but profound: a young girl grows up. In
Hollywood, this journey can be fraught with challenges and temptations, but
Saoirse Ronan has navigated the transition from child star to accomplished adult
actress with remarkable poise.
Ronan first garnered attention at the age of 13 when she received an Oscar
nomination for her role in "Atonement." Since then, she has consistently
delivered impressive performances, balancing subtlety and depth, even at such
a young age. Her roles in films like "The Lovely Bones," "Hanna," and "The
Grand Budapest Hotel" showcased her talent.
However, as she matured, Ronan faced the challenge of transitioning to adult
roles without succumbing to the typical pitfalls that often befall child
stars. She was determined not to objectify herself or take on overly edgy or
s*xualized roles simply to prove her adulthood.
In "Brooklyn," Ronan plays Eilis Lacey, a young Irish immigrant coming of age
in the 1950s. The character's journey mirrors Ronan's own experiences of
moving away from home and embracing independence. Eilis's story resonates
because it reflects the struggles of a woman striving for independence in a
society that wasn't always supportive of such endeavors.
The film captures Eilis's emotional transformation, her homesickness, and her
quest to find her place in the world. Ronan relates to this deeply, having
gone through a similar process when she moved to London at age 19. The film's
portrayal of Eilis's emotional journey felt personal and moving to Ronan, as
it mirrored her own experiences.
Unlike many child stars who feel the pressure to prove their adulthood through
edgy or provocative roles, Ronan prioritized her career and the quality of her
work. She waited patiently for emotionally mature roles to come along, always
focusing on the depth of the characters she portrayed.
Ronan's parents also made a journey similar to Eilis's in the movie, moving
from Ireland to New York in the 1980s. Watching "Brooklyn" with her parents
was a profound and emotional experience for Ronan. She wanted them to be proud
of the film because it portrayed their journey so beautifully.
In the end, Saoirse Ronan's journey from child star to accomplished adult
actress has been marked by her dedication to her craft, her refusal to
objectify herself, and her ability to relate her characters' emotional
journeys to her own life experiences.
