Growing Up Smith

Growing Up Smith

Year: 2017

Runtime: 102 min

Language: English

Director: Frank Lotito

DramaComedyFamily

Growing up in 1970s suburban America, a young boy named Smith grapples with conflicting cultural influences. He loves the idealized world of American television, but his father strongly emphasizes Indian tradition. Torn between these opposing forces, Smith must find a way to reconcile his passions with his family's expectations and ultimately forge his own sense of identity and belonging.

Bittersweet
Happy ending
Moderately emotional
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Growing Up Smith (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Growing Up Smith (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1979

The story unfolds in 1979, a time characterized by significant cultural shifts and the flourishing of the American Dream. This era was marked by a blend of traditional values and the evolving landscape of suburban life, influencing Smith's journey of self-discovery and adaptation.

Location

Small-town America

The film takes place in a charming small-town in America, rich with local culture and community ties. This setting serves as a backdrop for Smith's adventures and struggles as he navigates the complexities of growing up amidst stark cultural contrasts between his Indian heritage and American life.

🇺🇸 America🏡 Small Town

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:15

Main Characters – Growing Up Smith (2017)

Meet the key characters of Growing Up Smith (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Smith

Smith is a curious and wide-eyed 10-year-old boy navigating the challenges of his Indian heritage and his dream of fitting into American culture. His brave actions showcase his boldness, while his longing for connection highlights his deep emotional sensitivity.

👦 Boy 🌍 Identity 🎒 Coming of Age

Amy

Amy is the girl-next-door who captures Smith's affections. Her character represents the innocence of first love, as well as the complexities that arise when life circumstances threaten to separate them.

❤️ Love 👩‍🏫 Teacher 🌻 Innocence

Butch

Butch embodies the archetypal all-American cowboy—a father figure to Smith who inspires him. His character serves as both a mentor and a source of conflict due to the bond Smith yearns for with him, punctuated by moments of admiration and jealousy.

🐴 Cowboy 👨‍🌾 Mentor 🌄 Heroism

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:15

Major Themes – Growing Up Smith (2017)

Explore the central themes of Growing Up Smith (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Cultural Identity

The theme of cultural identity permeates the film as Smith and his family grapple with their Indian roots while striving to blend into American society. Their experiences reflect the challenges and conflicts inherent in maintaining cultural heritage while pursuing acceptance in a new environment.

💔 Love and Loss

Love and loss are central themes as Smith navigates young love with Amy and later experiences profound heartache when he loses his wife. The narrative demonstrates how these emotional experiences shape individuals, connecting them across time and personal growth.

🌱 Coming of Age

Growing Up Smith captures the essence of coming of age, highlighting Smith's transition from childhood innocence to a more complex understanding of the world. Through his adventures and challenges, he learns valuable life lessons that resonate with everyone’s journey into adulthood.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:15

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Nostalgic Coming-of-Age Movies like Growing Up Smith

Warm and poignant stories of childhood shaped by cultural and family expectations.If you liked the bittersweet charm of Growing Up Smith, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features heartfelt stories about childhood, cultural identity, and family, all with a nostalgic, reflective, and ultimately hopeful feel similar to Smith's journey.

nostalgicbittersweetpoignantwarmhopefulreflectiveheartfelt

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a young protagonist navigating the complexities of their upbringing, often caught between family traditions and the allure of a new culture. The journey involves moments of joy, conflict, and self-discovery, culminating in a personal reconciliation of their dual influences.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the bittersweet emotions of childhood, the specific tension of cultural assimilation, and a reflective, warm tone. They balance family drama with a comedic touch, creating a poignant yet hopeful viewing experience.

Movies about Cultural Identity like Growing Up Smith

Heartfelt dramas about families forging a new life while holding onto tradition.Find movies similar to Growing Up Smith that explore the themes of cultural identity and assimilation. These films often center on immigrant families, the generational gap, and the bittersweet journey of finding belonging in a new world while honoring the old.

cultural identityfamily conflictassimilationhopefulgenerational gapheartwarmingthoughtful

Narrative Summary

The common narrative pattern involves a family unit, often with parents adhering to old-world values and children drawn to the customs of their new home. The central conflict arises from this cultural friction, driving character arcs about acceptance, understanding, and forging a unique, blended identity.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core thematic focus on cultural displacement and the quest for belonging. They consistently feature medium emotional weight, a steady pacing that allows for character development, and a tone that balances the melancholy of loss with the hope of new beginnings.

Unlock the Full Story of Growing Up Smith

Don't stop at just watching — explore Growing Up Smith in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Growing Up Smith is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Growing Up Smith Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Growing Up Smith, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Growing Up Smith Summary

Growing Up Smith Timeline

Track the full timeline of Growing Up Smith with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Growing Up Smith Timeline

Growing Up Smith Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Growing Up Smith that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Growing Up Smith Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Growing Up Smith

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Growing Up Smith (2017) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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