Growing Up Smith

Name: Growing Up Smith
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Family
Released: February 3, 2017
Duration: 102 min

2017

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Growing Up Smith

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Movie Details & Credits

| Release Date: February 3, 2017 | PG-13

Summary: When an Indian family moves to America in 1979 with the hope of living the American Dream, their 10-year-old-son, Smith, falls head-over-heels for the girl next door. With an American Dream of his own, Smith strives to become a “good ol’ boy,” propelling him and his family further away from their traditional ideals than ever before.

Director: Frank Lotito

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Family

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 102 min

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Critic Reviews

John DeFore

Feb 9, 2017

The picture hits many of the expected schoolyard beats with just enough specificity (the vegetarian boy's first encounter with fried chicken, for example) to keep it from feeling generic. Read full review

Neil Genzlinger

Feb 2, 2017

The movie has a roughly equal number of clumsy moments and sweet ones. Read full review

Gary Goldstein

Feb 9, 2017

Growing Up Smith is a well-intentioned fizzle that misses what should have been an easily reachable mark. Read full review

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LeZee

Feb 4, 2018

The first crush.

The film was completed back in the T15, but it only released recently. Another Hollywood's Indian connection theme. This is about an Indian family living is the United States. Everything was told from a young boy's viewpoint. Growing up in a traditional Indian house, dailyThe first crush.

The film was completed back in the T15, but it only released recently. Another Hollywood's Indian connection theme. This is about an Indian family living is the United States. Everything was told from a young boy's viewpoint. Growing up in a traditional Indian house, daily facing the western society, his struggle on caught between two cultures were shown to us as a hilarious life adventure.

I have been waiting for this film, at some stage I had forgotten its existence. When I came across an old trailer I've had saved in my hard drive, immediately I started to stream the film. It does not have big stars nor the big budget. It was a simple comedy about the culture collision. So there's no reason to expect it to surprise me. I enjoyed just as the way it was.

The original title was 'Good Ol' Boy', upon release, it was renamed. Both the titles justifies on what the film had narrated. It was a 70s tale, a little Indian family in the United States is almost living the American dream had to face the cultural differences. A young boy from the family named Smith is obedient to his parents, but when love bug bites him, all are going to change forever.

When a most famous family in their neighbourhood becomes close to them, kids from both the families develops a think friendship that goes all the way from their homes to the school. But it was more than a friendship for them. As the days of months of cultural exchange between them while their parents struggling to get along, finally, what brings the twist in the tale takes us straight to the finale.

-xX] There she was, a touch of heaven a mere 30 yards from me, yet a heaven unreachable. [Xx-

The story was a flashback. The old Smith recalls his childhood memory, particularly his first crush. The cross culture narratives are really fun, especially when they highlight the outcome. Because the outcome is not same for everybody, but how they make it for their comfort. It was a typical Indian parenting. But the kids wanted to experience the real America. Just like the Oscar nominated animated short 'Sanjay's Super Team'.

I think the writing was good, that included writers from both the cultures. Yet there were some scenes, too offendable, if you are an Indian. Because Indians easily offend for everything. Since it was a comedy flick, those things do not mean anything so seriously. It was just a way to make it very funnier, but the things became sillier. That's a traditional way of making a Hollywood comedy. If you are familiar with that, you will get it. But they have pushed it hard, yet the film was not harmed with boring cliches.

From the picture colour tone to everything, takes us to the 70s, like it was made 30-40 years ago. Nice casting too. Particularly the boy. And not to forget his father as well who might have been a supporting character, but a show stealer. Jason Lee too had a decent role and so the rest of them. A feature film directional debut for the filmmaker and he was not bad at all. He should only get better from here on.

It is entertaining. A good timepass film, a good weekend film to watch with family and friends. It was a nice comedy that's gone unnoticed for several reasons which are common for such small titles. But in this digitally streaming world at your finger tip, that's should not happen. If you are reading this, then I say try it. Of course it was not a great film, but one of the best films of the year. The critics say it was a nice film and so those small chunks of people who saw it also thumb upped. Now it's your turn to join them or go against than totally ignore it!

7/10… Expand

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DawdlingPoet

Nov 27, 2021

This is a fairly light watch. Its got some fairly amusing moments but I wouldn't say its a laugh out loud watch as such. Its of course about multiculturalism - getting by in a local community as an obvious outsider. I liked the female friend the main character had - Amy Brunner. Its aThis is a fairly light watch. Its got some fairly amusing moments but I wouldn't say its a laugh out loud watch as such. Its of course about multiculturalism - getting by in a local community as an obvious outsider. I liked the female friend the main character had - Amy Brunner. Its a pleasant watch which is worth seeing, yes.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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