Read 4-5 great reviews with such as 'fun friendly' and 'hearfelt.' And for the most part the film delivered. Smith is a very young kid (age 10-12?) doing everything and more to become as American as apple pie. His next door crush, Amy, is his true first love soul mate though, from Amy's perspective they are simply 'best friends.' All actors are fine and we care about all of them. We know there will be a clash of cultures via summaries that give away the fact that Smith will eventually go back to India and return 19 years later.
With that said, the circumstances in the final act are atrocious, unfriendly and heartless. His sister Asha has lied about her secret American boy friend and at age 14-15 is found by the parents making out in a car at a local lover's lane. Smith for his part blurts out nothing more then his childish 'I love' Amy. At age 12 or so this can easily be dismissed. After all there is zero between the two other then friendship. They are too young for any serious romance and there is in fact no romance, not even holding hands so of course not so much as a kiss.
Does the family come down on daughter Asha who they note is a "whore" "no man from India will marry." Nope, Asha stays in the USA. Smith, who has never even held Amy's hand is sent to India. Smith will be damaged goods, having been abandoned by both parents at age 12 or so, never to see his loving sister or parents until his he returns to visit them 19 years later. Culture aside, I am thinking just how devastated and damaging such a cruel abandonment would be for any young child.
The Smith family reunion is bazaar, as if we was away for a few weeks at summer camp rather then abandoned by his parents for 19 years.
I am at a loss for all the positive reviews for a screenplay that causes utter emotional destruction of 12 year old Smith.
With that said, the circumstances in the final act are atrocious, unfriendly and heartless. His sister Asha has lied about her secret American boy friend and at age 14-15 is found by the parents making out in a car at a local lover's lane. Smith for his part blurts out nothing more then his childish 'I love' Amy. At age 12 or so this can easily be dismissed. After all there is zero between the two other then friendship. They are too young for any serious romance and there is in fact no romance, not even holding hands so of course not so much as a kiss.
Does the family come down on daughter Asha who they note is a "whore" "no man from India will marry." Nope, Asha stays in the USA. Smith, who has never even held Amy's hand is sent to India. Smith will be damaged goods, having been abandoned by both parents at age 12 or so, never to see his loving sister or parents until his he returns to visit them 19 years later. Culture aside, I am thinking just how devastated and damaging such a cruel abandonment would be for any young child.
The Smith family reunion is bazaar, as if we was away for a few weeks at summer camp rather then abandoned by his parents for 19 years.
I am at a loss for all the positive reviews for a screenplay that causes utter emotional destruction of 12 year old Smith.