Growing Up Smith

Growing up in a small town in the late 1970's for 10 year old Smith (Roni Akurati) is wondrous and fascinating with Happy Days, Star Wars and disco. His parents named him Smith because they wanted him to have an American name, and what is more American than Smith. Being from India they of course didn't realize that it's a common last name.

Australian actor and first time director Frank Lotito and writers Gregory Scott Houghton, Anjul Nigam and Paul Quinn have created a small delightful story about assimilating in the American dream. His parents Bhaaskar Bhatnagar (screenwriter Anjul Nigam) and Nalini (Poorna Jagannathan) try to instill their Indian culture in Smith and his sister Asha (Shoba Narayan) who has already figured out how to play the obedient child game and still have a good time. Smith is expected to do well in school and become a neurosurgeon and when he turns 22 he is expected to engage in an arranged marriage. Unfortunately Smith is smitten by the girl next door, Amy Brunner (Brighton Sharbino). Smith also looks up to her dad Butch (Jason Lee) as the quintessential cowboy who helps him with the local school bullies and adds some contrast to his very conservative parents.

There are a few stock culture clashes like inviting the Brunner's over for a "BBQ Grilling Contest" when the Bhatnagar's are vegetarians, Smith trying Kentucky Fried Chicken, wearing a Halloween costume of Indian deity Ganesh during trick or treats, and going hunting with Butch. As with most immigrant families, there is the usual misunderstandings and stereotypical assumptions. ("No we are not those kind of Indians"). There's a TV type of sitcom and pacing with the broad humor where even the bullies are sympathetic. The inevitable confrontations occur when the parents are realizing their children are getting too out of control in this new environment. Of course everything works out in the end. With all this political spotlight on immigrants, it's nice to have a film that talks to us in way that embraces and appreciates our differences.
(Review by reesa)