Review of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) by Steve S — 09 Jul 2015

Not the arboriculture-in-urban environment documentary that I was expecting. Ha Ha. Actually - despite knowing this as the title of a classic book for decades - I had no idea what to expect. But I loved this film.

Poverty porn, yes, a bit. But what it is most is a poignant, sensitive look at the tenacity of a really nice family, under pressure. That's a pretty universal thing. The film's episodic but wonderfully evocative of time and place.

It's also sentimental, but not preachy...but I guess it does espouse that the only way to survive is through common sense and hard work...yet hopefully not as the expense of romanticism and fun, and hope.

And of course kindness.