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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

(1945, Rated NR, Drama, Starring Dorothy McGuire, James Dunn, Joan Blondell)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Faithful 1945 adaptation of classic story.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Issues relating to assimilation, poverty.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    None Inexplicit scene of Katie in labor may scare younger children, who should be reassured; very sad when Johnny dies.

  • Sex:

    Aunt Sissy is involved with many different men, and at one point Katie refuses to let her see the children because she is a bad influence.

  • Language:

    None

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Johnny has a serious drinking problem.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Parents need to know that the father in the family dies. The mother and daughter have a difficult relationship, though they come to terms in the end. The family has a hard time communicating directly with each other. One of the characters drinks heavily.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what Francie's teacher meant about the difference between imagination and pipe dreams. What does the title refer to? Why did the members of the family have such a hard time talking to each other about what mattered to them? Why does the family use the word "sick" to describe Johnny's alcoholism? Why does Johnny seem so sad when Francie talks with him about being "sick"? Why was it so important to Kate that the death certificate be changed?
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