America, America Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A naive Greek guy really wants to shine shoes in America, so he endures a three-hour-long string of old-timey hardships to get there.

🍿 America, America: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Oppression in Anatolia

Set in the late 19th century, the film opens in Anatolia, where Greeks and Armenians face persecution under Turkish rule. Young Stavros Topouzoglou dreams of escaping to America, a land of opportunity, unlike his family who simply desire to remain alive. He witnesses the injustices and violence inflicted upon his community, fueling his desire for a better life. Stavros’s friendship with an Armenian, Vartan, further highlights the tensions and dangers of the time. This friendship makes him question the life he knows even more, as he sees the violence and the repression firsthand. Stavros yearns for the freedom and prosperity he believes America offers, hoping to make his family proud.

Journey to Constantinople

Stavros’s parents, unable to fully comprehend his dream, but still want the best for him. They entrust him with their savings and send him to Constantinople to assist his cousin Odysseus in a rug business. The hope is that Stavros will make enough money to eventually bring the rest of the family to America. Along his journey, Stavros faces numerous hardships, including robbery and betrayal. He encounters both kind and unscrupulous individuals, testing his resolve and forcing him to make difficult choices. These experiences further solidify his determination to reach America, no matter the cost.

Challenges and Opportunities in the City

In Constantinople, Stavros grapples with the realities of urban life, facing moral dilemmas and constant setbacks. He is tempted by opportunities for wealth and comfort, including a potential arranged marriage, but he refuses to compromise his dream of going to America. Each setback strengthens his resolve. He briefly becomes involved with revolutionaries and even considers marrying for money, but Stavros cannot deny his longing for America. He ultimately chooses the path of uncertainty and hardship over a life of relative ease, showing his determination to pursue his true goal. He ultimately decides to accept a small portion of the dowry so he can buy a ticket to America.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Stavros Topouzoglou (Stathis Giallelis): A determined young Greek man who endures hardship and makes difficult choices to emigrate to America from Ottoman Turkey.
• Vartan Damadian (Frank Wolff): Stavros’ close Armenian friend whose murder fuels Stavros’ desire to escape Turkish oppression and seek a better life in America.
• Vasso Topouzoglou (Elena Karam): Stavros’ mother who supports his dream of going to America, entrusting him with the family’s savings.
• Isaac Topouzoglou (Harry Davis): Stavros’ father who, despite his own compromising attitude, blesses his son’s departure for America.
• Hohanness Gardashian (Gregory Rozakis): A young Armenian indentured shoeshine boy whose sacrifice enables Stavros to finally reach America.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Elia Kazan: “My name is Elia Kazan. I am a Greek by blood, a Turk by birth and an American because my uncle made a journey.” – The opening line sets the stage, explaining the deeply personal connection of the director to the story.
• Stavros: “America, America, I’m coming!” – A passionate declaration reflecting his unwavering determination to reach the United States.
• Odysseus: “Use your looks, marry a rich woman!” – Advice given to Stavros by his cousin in Constantinople, representing a pragmatic approach to achieving his goals.
• Stavros: “I will do anything to get to America!” – This embodies the desperation and drive of Stavros, highlighting his willingness to overcome any obstacle.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.4 million
• Domestic Gross: $2.1 million
• Worldwide Gross: $2.1 million

💥 America, America Reviews

Personal Review

I watched this film because my grandfather emigrated to America in the early 1900s, and I felt a need to connect with that part of my history. I was deeply moved by Stavros’s unwavering determination despite facing every obstacle imaginable. Some scenes, especially those depicting the persecution of minorities, were hard to watch, but they added to the story’s emotional impact. Though long, the film never felt boring. The end when he arrives in America gave me goosebumps thinking of my own family’s history. Highly recommend!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in immigration stories”
  • “Those who appreciate classic cinema”
  • “People who enjoy films with strong social themes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and scenes of oppression”
  • “Mature themes including infidelity”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “May be disturbing for sensitive viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A sprawling, deeply personal epic, ‘America, America’ showcases Kazan’s ability to draw raw, authentic performances. The film’s stark black-and-white cinematography captures the grit and struggle of its protagonist’s journey, though its length occasionally tests the viewer’s patience.
• The New York Times: “Kazan’s love letter to the immigrant experience is both powerful and problematic. While the film’s themes of perseverance and the allure of the American dream resonate, some may find its pacing uneven and its portrayal of certain cultures stereotypical.
• Los Angeles Times: “A testament to the human spirit, ‘America, America’ is a film that lingers long after the credits roll. Giallelis’s performance is nothing short of magnetic, while Kazan’s direction is masterful, creating an immersive and emotionally resonant viewing experience.

Audience Reactions

The black and white cinematography beautifully captures the harsh realities of the time.: Viewers praised the film’s authentic portrayal of the immigrant experience and the lead actor’s passionate performance.

It showcases the struggles, sacrifices, and unwavering hope that drove so many to seek a better life in America.: People mentioned that the story resonated with their own family histories of immigration and made them appreciate the opportunities they have today.

Overall Consensus: ‘America, America’ is a powerful and moving epic that provides a raw and honest look at the immigrant experience, despite its length and occasionally uneven pacing.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White)- 1964
2. Golden Globe Award (Best Director)- 1964

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Elia Kazan considered this film his most personal and favorite among all the movies he directed.”
• “The film was shot in black and white to give it a documentary-like feel and to emphasize the stark realities of the immigrant experience.”
• “Stathis Giallelis, who played Stavros, was relatively unknown at the time, contributing to the film’s realism.”
• “Location shooting took place in Turkey and Greece, adding authenticity to the depiction of the Anatolian setting and Constantinople.”

🖥️ How to Watch America, America?

As a classic film, “America, America” may be available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region. Check your local streaming services and online retailers for current options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed America, America, you might like these similar films:

• The Immigrant (2013): A drama depicting the struggles of a Polish immigrant woman in 1920s New York, echoing the themes of hardship and exploitation faced by immigrants.
• Ellis Island (1984): A mini-series depicting the trials and tribulations of several groups of immigrants arriving in America during the great immigration wave.
• The Godfather Part II (1974): While a crime drama, it explores the immigrant experience through the Corleone family’s origins in Sicily and their adaptation to American society.
• Hester Street (1975): Another story set in New York’s Lower East Side, it follows a Jewish woman who immigrates to America to join her husband, capturing the challenges of assimilation and cultural identity.

🛒 America, America Related Products

• Elia Kazan: A Life: A comprehensive biography that dives into the life and career of Elia Kazan, offering insights into his personal struggles and the making of his most memorable films.
• America, America (DVD): Own a copy of Elia Kazan’s epic drama and experience the struggles and triumphs of a young Greek immigrant’s journey to America.
• Ellis Island Immigration Museum Poster: A vintage-style poster featuring Ellis Island, a symbol of hope and opportunity for millions of immigrants, evoking the film’s powerful imagery.
• Immigrant Story: A Card Game of American Dream: Game to experience the challenges faced by immigrants and learn about the stories of people who came to America to build a better life

🎧 Soundtrack

America, America features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Excitement In The Village” – performed by Manos Hadjidakis
• “Main Theme (America, America)” – performed by Manos Hadjidakis

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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