A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Each heart-warming character comes alive on the screen!
1945 • 128 min • Drama
Synopsis
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.
Our family guide
Best from age 10- 100 Reviewers · 2 · 51%
- 75 Audience · 110 · 49%
In early 20th-century Brooklyn, the impoverished Nolan family navigates daily struggles, finding joy amidst hardship. Young Francie, a dreamer, observes her family, including her loving but alcoholic father and resilient mother, as they strive to make a life for themselves in a crowded tenement. It
- Violence & peril
- 2/10
- Language
- 1/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 6/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 1/10
- Scary moments
- 2/10
Heads up
- Frequent depiction of alcoholism and its effects
- Themes of poverty and loss can be sad
- A character passes away
What it models well
- Family love and resilience
- Perseverance through adversity
- The power of hope and dreams
Talk about it after
- The challenges of poverty and how people cope
- The impact of alcoholism on families
- Finding beauty and hope in difficult circumstances
- The importance of education and imagination
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Top billed cast
Director: Elia Kazan • Crew: Tess Slesinger, Frank Davis
Trailers & clips
A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN 1945 Theatrical Trailer
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - DVD Trailer
Reviewer notes
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersAt the turn of the 20th century, the Nolan family eek out a living in New York. Mum “Katie” (Dorothy Maguire) is trying to raise impressionable daughter “Francie” (Peggy Ann Garner) and son “Neeley” (Ted Donaldson) whilst their well meaning but dipso entertainer of a father (James Dunn) struggles to make a living then hits the bottle when he does or doesn’t find work.…
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersThis is the charming adaption of Betty Smith's acclaimed novel. It's both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The acting is riveting all the way around, and this is one of those rare times when everyone is perfectly cast. But particularly Peggy Ann Garner and James Dunn, both of whose careers, interestingly and unfortunately enough, were failing within the next decade.…
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 7.5/10 (110)
- Age rating
- PG
- Status
- Released
- IMDb
- tt0038190
