Below are my four favorite performances by this talented thespian. They include three of Ronan’s Oscar-nominated films and one that surprised me this year. I’ve checked my reviews for these films and picked sections explaining why I enjoyed her acting in each one. Since I didn’t review Lady Bird, I found a colleague’s critique that expresses my feelings exactly.’
BROOKLYN (2015). This splendid drama reminds me of those classic movie gems from the past, the ones emphasizing character development and good storytelling. Brooklyn imparts a sense of place and loving hearts while telling an involving story about the immigration experience of one young woman who came to Brooklyn from Ireland in the 1950s. Saoirse Ronan delivers a spellbinding performance in the lead role by making us feel we’re experiencing everything right along with the engaging character she plays here. Interesting to note is that Ronan herself was born in Ireland and came to the USA at a very young age. We might say she was born for this part.
LITTLE WOMEN (2019). Katharine Hepburn (1933), June Allyson (1949), Wynonna Ryder (1994), and Sarah Davenport (2018) have given excellent screen performances as Jo, the story’s main character. But none of them touched me as deeply as Saoirse Ronan in this Little Women, written and directed by Greta Gerwig. Perhaps the experience Ronan and Gerwig shared working together in Lady Bird helped bring out even more levels of their extraordinary talents in this impressive offering.
LADY BIRD (2017). I agree with film critic Frank Wilkins’ description of Ronan’s performance in this popular movie. He writes, “Ronan is absolutely mesmerizing in this Oscar-worthy performance as she morphs into the mushy shell of a complex, hormone-charged character brimming with a defiance and self-centeredness familiar to any parent of a teenager, while at the same time drawing us in with an irresistible wit and naked vulnerability that plays perfectly against her over-worked, tough-love mother…Redemption, of sorts, eventually comes in an act of ultimate love for one another in the closing stanza.”
SEE HOW THEY RUN (2022). In this amusing whodunit, Ronan proves she can do comedy as well as drama. She plays Constable Stalker, who has just been assigned to work with veteran Inspector Stoppard on a murder case. She wants to do a good job and keeps busy taking notes. She also seems to know more about police business and popular movie stars than almost anyone. Ronan is downright funny and steals this film. She makes me smile throughout with her perfect comic timing. So I’ve put her in my 2022 Awards file.
Saoirse Ronan, please take a bow!
But thanks to you and your praise, she is now on my radar. And I think I will look for Brooklyn and See How They Run when they become available so that I can watch her become as famous as Katharine Hepburn for her performances.
Ireland never fails to produce great actors, singers and storytellers. I believe it's in their blood, fueled by Irish whiskey. ;-)
Ron