This movie makes us care about these two boys and their environment.
“We Grown Now” is a sad and emotional drama about young African-American kids living in the slums of what was Chicago’s own Cabrini-Green Homes in 1992. The opening credits explain how they were developed, how a majority of this specific race resided there in 1962, and the closing says how it was closed down in 2011, and that it’s the people that makes where they live a home.
These residents also deal with white cops, searching their homes for drugs and making them have I.D. cards based on the recent violence in the city. This also pertains to the murder of 7-year-old Dantrell Davis, which led to a gang truce.
The two boys of “We Grown Now” are best friends Malik (Blake Cameron James) and Erik (Gian Knight Ramirez), and they both spend their free time exploring the Art Institute of Chicago during a boring school video, and jumping on old mattresses outside. Malik lives with his little sister, their hardworking and loving mother Dolores (Jurnee Smollett), and their wise grandmother Anita (S. Epatha Merkerson); while Erik lives with his older sister (Avery Holliday) and their single father Jason (Lil Rel Howery).
As I began to watch this movie, I was wondering if these families would have different circumstances. At one point in the movie, Dolores scolds Malik for cutting school and nearly thinking Erik is a bad influence on him. But it ends up being a minor hiccup. Besides Jason punishes Erik with a TV moratorium. So, both sides of the equation have loving single parents, who want the best for their children.
This art museum moment (which seems to want to channel on that famous scene in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”) allows Malik to see Walter Ellison’s “Train Station” painting, which depicts white people leaving on the left and African-American people leaving on the right. The left is heading to Florida on vacation, while the right is heading to Chicago, Detroit, and New York for better opportunities. And the initials W.W.E. on a suitcase are personalized as a symbol of relocation, loss, and hope. This would help establish the theme of “We Grown Now.”
It can be stressful when we see the white police harassing these innocent residents, and I felt bad for them and their circumstances. But the movie wants to remind us of the racism in America, which unfortunately still happens. Besides, the movie is more about the relationship between these two young boys and their directions in life. One of them has to move away because of a parent’s better job opportunity, and one of them has to be distraught. It’s understandable in this sense, and we really feel emotional.
The performances are universally excellent, from the kids to the adults. James and Ramirez both have the youth and spirit without any bratty cliches. Smollett is blossoming as Malik’s mom, while Howery continues to prove he can step away from comedy and displays the right humanity as Erik’s dad. And we also get some insightful and passionate words from Merkerson.
“We Grown Now” is a beautiful movie about passionate and struggling people. Writer/director Minhal Baig (“Hala”) paints this movie like a painting that reflects on life and what dreams can come out of it.
Opens in New York and Los Angeles This Friday
Expands Next Week