The Tower Theater is the only art house in Miami that is showing Brooklyn, a big release with major Oscar buzz. The Fox Searchlight film opens November 25, and will be shown in English with Spanish subtitles. Brooklyn received a great response when it first screened locally in October as the opening night film at GEMS, the Miami International Film Festival’s pre-festival program.
Booking the film for a run at the Tower Theater is a great step in the revitalization of the cultural landmark and demonstrates that it’s not only a great place for art house and foreign films, but also a destination for major studio films. The Tower Theater is run by Miami Dade College and is one of the home theaters of Miami International Film Festival.
“We want to encourage students to take advantage of this fabulous neighborhood movie theater,” said Jaie Laplante, Executive Director, Miami International Film Festival. “It’s part of the MDC family and we offer a special $9 staff and student discount ticket.”
Adapted for the screen by Nick Horby from one of the most acclaimed novels of the last decade, Brooklyn, written by Colm Tóibín, is the profoundly moving story of a young Irish immigrant navigating her way through Brooklyn in the 1950’s. Tóibín’s 2009 novel put a powerful spin on the typical immigrant tale; instead of an ambitious young man driven to seek his fortune in America, there’s the unassuming but luminous young woman called Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) driving the story forward. At the heart of the film is the conflict Eilis faces when her exciting new life is disrupted by her past and she must choose between two countries and the lives that that exist within.
Generally described as a lush charmer, the film has critics falling in love with the story and it’s young stars. The New York Times calls Brooklyn, “sharply observed and gently nostalgic.” The Telegraph calls it “pulse-quickeningly good.” Rotten Tomatoes has it certified as “fresh” (currently at 92%).
Following the opening on Wednesday, November 25th ticket holders are invited to a post-screening reception at Cuba Ocho Art Center, across the street from the theater. Ticket buyers for the 6:20 pm and 7:15 pm shows will receive a free drink and can participate in a raffle for a number of prizes including: a membership to the Miami Film Society, a Tower Theater membership, a CD of the soundtrack, and free movie tickets.
The Tower Theater will be open on Thanksgiving Day.