First Take on "A Tree Grow in Brooklyn" (1945)

Film Studies Quarterly Review: A First Take on "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" with Bolivar T. Caceres

*Super Spoiler*

Season 1, Episode 1: First Take on Elia Kazan’s “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” (1945)

“You know something, a day like this is just like somebody gave you a present. Everything just right. - Johnny Nolan

Upon a first take, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" is an endearing film that aims to play at the heart's strings, albeit within the Motion Picture's restraints of the 1940s.

The film opens up with "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," an all too American classic. Using this track at the beginning of the film sets a tone that recalls the image of the American family -- well-to-do, house, food on the table, and a steady job. Taking this direction rouses the question of how Elia Kazan possibly will explore the American family values. He does, and sometimes not in the way the introduction soundtrack alludes.

"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" is a dark impression of the American family who struggles to make ends meet, dreads pregnancy, and has to save every penny.

Elia Kanza paints Brooklyn as a dog-eats-no-meat world, where kids play in the street, trees are cut down for more space, and parents fall out of love due to economic reasons.

However, given all this, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" is a beautiful coming-of-age story. The main character is the tree that grows in Brooklyn, an industrial concrete jungle. Through the love and support of her father and her plights, Francie grows up to be a stoic, intelligent, and independent woman. She has no other choice.

Elia Kazan's first film, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," is a well-handled narrative with theatrical visuals and natural dialogue. The viewer will surely laugh, cry, and cheer throughout the film.

To learn more about Elia Kazan’s “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” read Essay #7: Adapting to Life’s Hand.

You can also watch a few scene clips on Film Studies Quarterly Review’s Youtube, where you can also find a our Scene Study.

Like music? Check out our soundtrack page.

Want to watch free movies? We have them for you here!

And while you're at it, check out to Film Studies Quarterly Reviews's Scene Study and Top 5 with Bolivar T. Caceres to hear our analyses.

Bolivar T. Caceres is a Bronx-based artist and writer. His poems appear on ShortEdition and Ariel Chart. He is also the author of the chapbook Outside My Garret Window, published in 2020. He currently writes for the quarterly film blog Film Studies 401 and the news blog New York Positivity. Connect with him on social media @BolivarTCaceres and at www.BtcArt.co.

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