America, America (1963)

Elia Kazan was born Elia Kazanjoglous in Turkey to Greek parents. His family then immigrated to America to find a better way of life. Inevitably, things were more complicated than that. It is a situation that Kazan returned to often in his movies, perhaps nowhere more personally or successfully than in America, America. Based on his own book, this is the specific yet universally human story of the frustration and tenacity of spirit that marked the immigrants that came to America in the late 19th century. They escaped hard times and poverty and often found equal hard times and poverty as a reward for their long journey. There was occasional joy and opportunity, though, and they appreciated these as gifts. All of this is covered in America, America, along with much more. It is a long movie with sometimes poor pacing, but there is much to appreciate here. The time period is wonderfully created, and the movie deservedly won an Academy Award for best art direction. The performances are generally -- as in most of Kazan's films -- naturalistic and sincere. America, America would be Kazan's last movie for six years, and his last real achievement. ~ Brendon Hanley, All Movie Guide