We Grown Now (2023)

Writer-director Minhal Baig has made this unexpectedly lyrical, heartfelt 2023 film set against a real-life tragedy that occurred in Chicago's ravaged Cabrini Green housing projects in 1992, the killing of 7-year-old Dantrell Davis amid rising gang violence and brutality from the Chicago police. Focusing her story on two ten-year-olds, best friends who depend on each other for survival, Baig draws out deeply affecting work from Gian Knight Ramirez as Eric and especially wide-eyed Blake Cameron James as Malik. It's their coming-of-age story that makes the surrounding plotlines and performances resonate. Jurnee Smollett plays Malik's hardworking mother with assurance even as her character sometimes comes across as a stereotypical trope. As the wise grandmother who brought them to Cabrini Green when it held more promise, S. Epatha Merkerson makes remarkable her few scenes. I only wish Eric's backstory was given as much depth as Malik's, though the inevitable upheaval the boys face still packs an emotional wallop.

We Grown Now

This is a sleeper, is a story of childhood, of best friends, of family, of history, of life, of circumstances, of inequality, of color, of what it is to be real people, real good people, the best and the brightest, of struggle, of survival, of success, of meaning, of growing up, of innocence, of happiness, sadness and of sheer joy, the young actors are great!, their display of emotions is remarkable, pure, there is nothing to not like about this movie, it's about bringing out the best in us despite what life may bring, it's about hope, about the simple dignity of who we are as people, Eric and Malik exist!, WE EXIST!

We Grown Now is truly amazing, brilliantly scripted, masterful acting, lovely cinematography...all the ingredients of a 5 star film. Minghal did an amazing job capturing the early 90s. As someone who eas a child during this era, this film took me back with an instant feeling of nostalgia, from the opening scene on. The casting for this film is truly stellar, with heartfelt performances from everyone involved. No spoilers here...this film is a must see. I honestly don't understand what wicked brood of individuals comes to this site in droves to give great films like this low ratings. Seriously, how in the world did such a beautiful film with a pure message get so much hate?

A PG movie focused on kids, but for audiences of all ages. A story of two boys in Cabrini Green during 1992. Their lives aren't plagued by a ghost named Candyman, since there's plenty of real problems around. Their innocent minds don't let them see how dangerous their world is. I think it captured the 90's enough, but some things felt very current day. The parents in both families choose not to hit their kids. Most kids are never that lucky, and definitely not back in 1992. I'm white for reference, and I was born a year after the film is set, but hitting used to be even more common than it secretly is now. I know it was even worse for black kids, based on stories at school. I get why the film wanted to push that though. Sorry that part just bothered me. Overall it's a good story though. Kids are kids anywhere.

No one ever said growing up was easy. It's inherently a time for a lot of hard lessons, but they're the kind of teachings that we need to help prepare us for adulthood. And, depending on the circumstances, it can be particularly challenging but also rewarding at the same time. Such is the experience of two young boys, Malik (Blake Cameron James) and Eric (Gian Knight Ramirez), best friends who go through virtually everything together in Chicago's notorious Cabrini-Green Housing Project in 1992, a time when it was just about at its worst. Writer-director Minhal Baig's third feature outing is an intimate, sensitive yet gripping depiction of childhood under difficult circumstances but laced with hopeful aspirations for being able to become whatever we dream about. This nominee for three 2023 Independent Spirit Awards, including best feature, is just about perfect in every regard, from its gorgeous cinematography and expert film editing to its fine original score and the performances of its superb ensemble cast, particularly the young protagonists, who come off completely naturally and effectively. What's more, "We Grown Now" deftly and simultaneously manages to show the Windy City at both its best and its worst, no small feat, to be sure. In addition. There's almost nothing in the narrative of this film that we all can't relate to in one way or another, even if we didn't grow up under the same conditions as those experienced by the characters in this film. It will touch you deeply and certainly move you - possibly to tears at some point - but this is a worthwhile release that absolutely should not be missed.