Synopsis
All Eilis has to look forward to if she stays in 1950s Ireland are slick-haired rugby players, selling cigarettes one at a time at the local shop, and bad weather. So when a kindly priest, Father Flood, sponsors her to go to America, she packs her meagre belongings, says goodbye to her mother and her sister, Rose, and hello to...
Brooklyn, which with its bright lights, brownstones and brash confidence is a shock for timid Eilis. Seasickness from the treacherous journey to Ellis Island transforms into homesickness as she gets to Mrs. Kehoe's daunting lodging house, full of gossiping single girls.
Eilis gets a job at a glamorous department store and through a sweet young plumber called Tony she has all kinds of new experiences: the Yankees, Coney Island, proper spaghetti sauce…and love.
A tragedy in the family forces her to return to Ireland, but she marries Tony in secret before she goes. Once home, everyone is struck by Eilis’ 'new world' sophistication. She finds comfort in the company of her old friends, and one new one: a young charmer called Jim, who encouraged by Eilis' mother, starts to woo her.
Before long, Eilis must confront a terrible dilemma -- a heart-breaking choice between two men and two countries; between duty and true love.