Ever since the nominations were announced, this year’s Academy Awards ceremony has been clouded in controversy regarding the saddening lack of diversity. However, I think the members (old white guys) of the Academy still have an opportunity to make a positive statement by recognizing the beautifully shot, acted, and directed film "Brooklyn" and its phenomenal star Saoirse Ronan. "Brooklyn" is nominated for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay and Ronan for Best Actress.
At its core, "Brooklyn" is simply a story of America. It's a story of people from all over the world coming together and forming the melting pot of a country that we call home. Simply, it's a story of diversity.
Saoirse (sir-sha) Ronan is the charming 21-year-old Irish-American actress who stars in the film.
She's the new Adele Dezeem
"Brooklyn" tells the story of Eilis (a-lish, portrayed by Ronan), an Irish woman who emigrates to the New York borough in hopes of making a better life for herself. I’ve been a fan of Ronan, a proclaimed “master of dialects," ever since she achieved international fame when she appeared in "Atonement" alongsideJames McAvoy and Keira Knightley for which Saoirse earned her first Oscar nomination. Her talents were also featured in "The Lovely Bones," "Hanna," and "The Grand Budapest Hotel," to name to few.
Saoirse, like Inertia
Just when I thought Saoirse was done with us mere mortals until awards night, she gifted us with her talent once again. Saoirse lent her talents to fellow Irishman Hozier, starring in the achingly beautiful music video for his single "Cherry Wine." (She is briefly upstaged by a few small and furry costars.) Without a word of dialogue, Saoirse and her subtle changes in facial expression send a painful but important message in a breathtaking way. See for yourself. I get chills every time I watch it.