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Growing Up Smith

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1:52

Growing Up Smith

PG-13

Released Feb 3, 2017

1h 42m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In 1970s suburban America, all 10-year-old Smith (Roni Akurati) wants to do is watch Happy Days, play with his Star Wars figurines, and hang out with the girl-next-door. But things are not that easy when he has to deal with his overbearing father (Anjul Nigam) pushing his Indian heritage on him every second of every day.

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Gary Goldstein

Los Angeles Times

A strained cross between broad, culture-clash comedy and wistful coming-of-age tale, "Growing Up Smith" is a well-intentioned fizzle that misses what should have been an easily reachable mark.

Feb 9, 2017

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John DeFore

The Hollywood Reporter

A crowd-friendly immigrant's tale painted with a thick coat of '70s nostalgia.

Feb 3, 2017

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Neil Genzlinger

New York Times

The film has accidental topicality now with the debate over immigration swirling, but you don't need to burden it with politics to be touched by its tale of a child who is pulled by two very different cultural worlds.

Feb 2, 2017

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Asia Frey

Lagniappe (Mobile, AL)

Flawed but not without its merits, including heart, humor and a look at the complex immigrant experience that hides a painful depth beneath its amusing surface. The film sneaks up on you with a family drama that is surprisingly unsparing.

Aug 23, 2018

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Sean P. Means

Salt Lake Tribune

The joys and pains of childhood are familiar across all cultures -- and, as the cloying comedy Growing Up Smith demonstrates, hackneyed variations on The Wonder Years also are universal.

Rated: 2/4

May 4, 2017

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Josh Terry

Deseret News (Salt Lake City)

Lee provides the kind of welcome down-to-earth good-old-boy charm he used in TV's My Name is Earl and Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous.

Apr 28, 2017

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Anthony P

Movie has heart. I liked the Jason Lee character who seemed to show up and key moments.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/25

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isla s

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 a pleasant watch which is worth seeing, yes.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Josh B

A mess of predictable and shallow generation gap and culture difference skits. Smith Bhatnagar coming-of-age is just a string of cliches, and you find yourself waiting for the next 'gag' hoping it might be better than the last. Poorly written and directed it seems to miss any tension or denouement, just putting along with the same shallow comedic tone. How did this garner any good reviews?

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/29/20

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Audience Member

Two mistakes found after watching for first 10 mins (still watching).. 1) $-Rs conversion rate in 1979 was around INR 20 not 65. 2) Bhatnagars are Kayastha who are hardcore meateater, so they have no problem eating animals. <majority of indians are meateater) Ending seems pretty abrupt. Overall this movie needed major rework on storyline to make it more interesting.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

What a refreshing and beautiful film. It takes me back to my own childhood, and reminds me just how different cultures can be either similar, or intolerant.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/03/18

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Audience Member

My family and I just happened upon this movie and ABSOLUTELY loved it!!! I am telling everyone to watch this sweet cultural coming of age story. We laughed and cried watching Growing Up Smith.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

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Frank Lotito

Director

Jason Lee

Butch Brunner

Anjul Nigam

Bhaaskar Bhatnagar

Brighton Sharbino

Amy Brunner

Hilarie Burton

Nancy Brunner

Roni Akurati

Smith Bhatnagar

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Growing Up Smith: Trailer 1

1:52

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Synopsis

In 1970s suburban America, all 10-year-old Smith (Roni Akurati) wants to do is watch Happy Days, play with his Star Wars figurines, and hang out with the girl-next-door. But things are not that easy when he has to deal with his overbearing father (Anjul Nigam) pushing his Indian heritage on him every second of every day.

Director: Frank Lotito
Producer: Steve Straka, Frank Lotito
Screenwriter: Gregory Scott Houghton, Anjul Nigam, Paul Quinn
Distributor: Good Deed Entertainment
Production Co: Good Deed Entertainment, Emedia Films, Brittany House Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language|Brief Drug Use)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 3, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 2, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.9K
Runtime: 1h 42m

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