America America (1963)'s comments

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Siskoid

The story of Elia Kazan's uncle and how he escaped Turkey's ethnic oppression, America America is obviously a very personal project for the director, who adapts his book and even lends his voice to the narration. Name changes are either to allow for dramatic changes, or to protect his uncle's reputation from some of the crimes the young Stavros (played with smokey brooding by Greek actor Stathis Giallelis) commits over the course of the story do not taint his reputation, who knows. But it IS a biopic, no matter how sculpted, and so its parts are uneven. Strongest by far is the first third, which shows us the regime the Greeks and Armenians were living under, and forces Stavros into real misery. The middle part, where his prospects looks up and he is tempted to stay in Turkey, is the lull; we start to feel the film's length. The shorter third act brings back some tension as it's not clear Stavros will be able to get off the boat. Nevertheless, each act includes a crucial moral dilemma, and if there isn't as much physical danger after the first act, Stavros' soul remains in peril. The film seems to say these sacrifices of honor were worth it, but it's really up to us to answer.

3 years 8 months ago

Windill

Really amazing. So many episodes in this journey! A movie that brings surprises and very interesting new developments all the way from start to end.

7 years 2 months ago

jarmel

Very personal movie from Kazan

12 years 4 months ago

Public Enemy

It just goes on and on and on and on...

12 years 10 months ago

ClassicLady

I wouldn't normally watch this kind of movie if it wasn't inthe lists but having seen it, I'm glad I did. Great acting. Great story. Although very personal to the director, this could be the story of any number of immigrants who made their way to America, the Land of Opportunity. Thank God my grandparents didn't endure these harsh hardships when they immigrated here.

11 years 1 month ago

Duke of Omnium

Really too long, and kind of melodramatic, notwithstanding the obvious passion by the director.

8 years 5 months ago