Growing Up Smith (2015)

In 1979, an Indian family moves to America with hopes of living the American Dream. While their 10-year-old boy Smith falls head-over-heels for the girl next door, his desire to become a "good old boy" propels him further away from his family's ideals than ever before.

Director:

Frank Lotito

Writers:

Anjul Nigam, Paul Quinn

Stars:

Jason Lee, Anjul Nigam, Brighton Sharbino

5 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Lee	...	Butch Brunner
Anjul Nigam	...	Bhaaskar Bhatnagar
Brighton Sharbino	...	Amy Brunner
Hilarie Burton	...	Nancy Brunner
Roni Akurati	...	Smith Bhatnagar
Poorna Jagannathan	...	Nalini Bhatnagar
Samrat Chakrabarti	...	Older Smith Bhatnagar
Shoba Narayan	...	Asha Bhatnagar
Jake Busey	...	Officer Dick
Tim Guinee	...	Officer Bob
Alison Wright	...	Mrs. Reynolds
Austin Harrod	...	Billy MacNamara
James Hyland	...	Stan Swanson
Jack Hyland	...	Steve Swanson
Paul Castro Jr.	...	Patrick

Storyline

GROWING UP SMITH is the story of a ten-year-old boy from India growing up in Small Town, America in 1979. While the boy's family straddles the fine line between embracing the American Dream and preserving their Indian heritage, there are barbecues, Halloween and hunting. And as Smith falls for Amy, the girl-next-door, he finds in Amy's father Butch the cowboy he wishes his own father could be. But alas, when Smith's father Bhaaskar sees Smith is quickly losing any hope of remaining a respectable Indian boy, he banishes him back to India. Nineteen years later Smith will return to America, back to a place he once called home.

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Plot Keywords:

overalls | elementary school | tube sock | hunt | indian american | 

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Taglines:

Living the American Dream

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some language and brief drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

The world premiere was June 1, 2015 in Kirkland, Washington as part of the Seattle International Film Festival.

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Goofs

The movie was based in the years 1977-1980 judging by Saturday Night Fever, Star Wars, etc. In those days US$1 was approximately 8-9 Indian Rupees. So in the beginning when they said $2 was 125 Rupees, that is based on currency rates of 2015 on wards.

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

User Reviews

Clever. Witty. Heartfelt.

Just saw this film and had to say something! THESE are the kinds of films we've been missing all these years. Growing up Smith is the perfect combination of a family-kid friendly film with some teeth to it. Lighthearted with a message, funny, exuberant and most timely in today's America.

This film won't preach to you and I can't put my finger on just one thing in particular, but it left me feeling euphoric walking out. Nostalgia, memories and emotions flowed through me. It hearkens back to a time where we were all innocent. As kids emulating our parents and yearning to break out.

The performances are just as impressive. Jason Lee appears in a role I've never seen him play, and plays it to perfection: The beer drinking role model... Hilarie Burton and Poorna Jagannathan play characters who couldn't be more opposite, yet are equally as endearing. Anjul Nigam was terrific and relentless. At times I felt as though he was the film's hero and others it's villain. Lastly, the kids stole the show. Brighton Sharbino and Roni Akurati were delightful. They had tremendous rapport with one another and delivered as authentic performances as I have seen kids deliver in a film!

If you want to have fun, if you want to laugh, if you want tears in your eyes and if you want to remember the good old days, THIS is the film to see! Very impressed, Bravo!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Growing Up Smith

Filming Locations:

Kingston, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,867, 5 February 2017

Gross USA:

$35,312

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$35,312

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brittany House Pictures, Emedia Films, Quixotic Road

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1