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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
1945 128 min United States of America PG 6+
★8.3
Drama
Director: Elia Kazan
🎭 Based on
«A Tree Grows in Brooklyn»
byBetty Smith
Trailers
Description
In Brooklyn circa 1900, the Nolans manage to enjoy life on pennies despite great poverty and Papa's alcoholism. We come to know these people well through big and little troubles: Aunt Sissy's scandalous succession of "husbands"; the removal of the one tree visible from their tenement; and young Francie's desire to transfer to a better school...if irresponsible Papa can get his act together.
Starring
Dorothy McGuire
Actor
Peggy Ann Garner
Actor
Joan Blondell
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1946
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 1946
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Key opinion
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is widely celebrated as a masterful, emotionally resonant debut that highlights Elia Kazan’s early directorial talent. The film is anchored by powerful performances, particularly the poignant father-daughter dynamic, and is praised for its authentic, non-melodramatic portrayal of poverty.
| Acting | The father-daughter chemistry between James Dunn and Peggy Ann Garner serves as the emotional bedrock of the film. | |
| Direction | Kazan’s direction expertly balances intense family drama with a grounded, naturalistic depiction of impoverished life. | |
| Screenplay | The script features dense, psychologically nuanced dialogue that stands out against the thinner narratives common in its era. | |
| Pacing | The film’s two-hour runtime maintains a steady, engaging flow without suffering from pacing issues. | |
| Ending | Opinions diverge on the narrative conclusion: some appreciate the open-ended honesty, while others feel the sentimentality undermines the story's overall impact. | |
| Acting | Performances are generally viewed as cohesive and effective, though some critics argue the ensemble acting lacks individual distinctiveness by modern standards. |