SMITTY
Everybody Needs a Friendly Paw
Should You Watch It?
SMITTY is a warm, morally uplifting family film about a troubled teenager, a loyal dog, and a family learning how to begin again. Its strongest qualities are its emphasis on friendship, responsibility, forgiveness, perseverance, and reconciliation. The difficult family dynamics and teenage misbehavior are not promoted; they are ultimately redeemed.
The tradeoff is quality. The character and plot development leave something to be desired, and Smitty himself is somewhat sidelined. Still, the movie remains gentle, devoid of darkness, and appropriate for a wide range of ages. It also includes an answered prayer, an apparent miracle, and vague references to God, though it does not present an explicitly Christian outlook.
For a polished theatrical experience, look elsewhere; for a positive home viewing, this is a worthwhile choice.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESThirteen-year-old Ben, a troubled and lonely boy from Chicago, is sent to spend the summer working on his estranged grandfather Jack’s farm in rural Iowa. Jack gives Ben a shelter dog named Smitty to keep him company and help him learn responsibility.
As Ben adjusts to farm life, he also encounters a friendly neighbor and begins to learn about friendship, family, love, and commitment. The dog and the summer experience become a bridge toward healing long-strained family relationships.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means SMITTY has a good heart but uneven execution. Brandon Tyler Russell brings a strong performance as Ben, and the movie effectively presents its lessons about family, love, forgiveness, commitment, and perseverance.
The small-town setting, apt costume design, and traditional decorating portray the contrast between Middle American and metropolitan life. The story also challenges the stereotype of countryside laziness and presents an “actions speak louder than words” philosophy.
Its main weaknesses are underdeveloped characters and plot, along with Smitty’s limited role. The ending is somewhat surprising but anticlimactic.
The Worldview
SMITTY stresses grace, faithfulness, second chances, and the healing power of family. Ben’s mistakes do not define him, and the story shows how perseverance through adversity can lead to forgiveness and reconciliation. Grandpa Jack’s history reveals a choice of family over futile dreams of fame and fortune, while Ben’s experience helps reconnect his grandfather and mother.
The movie does not depict an explicitly Christian outlook. However, it includes an answered prayer, an apparent miracle in a time of desperation, and vague references to God. Its values are generally biblical and morally uplifting, supporting a Christian worldview even while remaining indirect about faith.
The film also contrasts metropolitan society with Middle American culture. Its small-town setting, traditional decorating, and “actions speak louder than words” philosophy present rural life as hardworking and grounded rather than lazy. Typical teenage troublemakers are portrayed negatively for appropriate reasons.
At its center, the story longs for restored family relationships and the grace to begin again. Scripture calls believers to that same posture: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong Christian worldview overall with very strong moral/biblical undertones throughout, which is set over and against an oppositional worldview of mildly romanticist, self-serving moral relativism, destructive behavior and irresponsibility; four mild obscenities, two “sucks,” one “hell,” one “crap”; mild violence, one vandalism scene, one dynamite explosion, one murder threat, one shotgun loading; no sexual content, one romantic kiss, one implicit reference to premarital sex since young protagonist was born out of wedlock; no nudity; no alcohol use; no smoking; and, some miscellaneous immorality including lying, revenge, stealing, shirking on work, tardiness, dysfunctional family, disrespectfulness, and several uses of the word “hate” directed toward adults.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Ben learns that life is not all about him. Where do you need to grow in thinking about someone besides yourself?
Philippians 2:3–4 · Romans 12:10Ben, his mother, and his grandfather must face hurt before they can reconnect. What does forgiveness make possible in a family?
Ephesians 4:31–32 · Colossians 3:13Smitty teaches Ben about friendship and responsibility. How can caring for someone else change the way you live?
Proverbs 17:17 · Galatians 6:2The film includes an answered prayer and an apparent miracle. How should we respond when God seems to meet us in a desperate moment?
Philippians 4:6–7 · Psalm 46:1The Final Word
SMITTY is a gentle, positive story with strong moral lessons and very little offensive content. Its uneven character and plot development make it better suited to a relaxed home viewing than a special theater outing. For older children and adults seeking a hopeful family film, our answer is WAIT FOR HOME.
