Americanish
By Monique Jones,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Heartfelt, diverse film about love, life; strong language.

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Americanish
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What's the Story?
In AMERICANISH, sisters Sam (Aizzah Fatima) and Maryam (Salena Qureshi) live with their mother, Khala (Lillete Dubey), after their father leaves them. Sam and Maryam's cousin Ameera (Shenaz Treasury) comes to live with them in order to find her dream husband. All three young women face various challenges when it comes to navigating love, personal goals, and family drama.
Is It Any Good?
This romantic dramedy packs a lot into its hour-and-a-half runtime, telling a fulfilling story about love, growth, and family. Americanish shares the Pakistani American perspective with viewers -- one that's often represented inaccurately or is full of stereotypes perpetuated by non-Pakistani creators. Here, viewers who aren't already familiar with the topic can learn not only some of what Pakistani American and South Asian Americans go through in the United States in terms of racism, but they can also learn how racist thoughts get perpetuated, even among minority groups. And then there's the fact that the movie deals with the broadly relatable struggle of trying to achieve your dreams while balancing familial relationships. Overall, Americanish is a funny, thoughtful, and heartfelt film that will leave you feeling happy after the credits roll.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters in Americanish represent aspects of Pakistani American life. How do they balance tradition with American ideals?
What do the main characters learn about pursuing their dreams? Why is that a common plot thread for movies?
How are racism and colorism portrayed in the film? How do the characters grow from these moments?
How does the film examine the meaning of family? What does "family" mean to the characters?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 6, 2023
- On DVD or streaming: November 14, 2023
- Cast: Aizzah Fatima , Lillete Dubey , Shenaz Treasury , Salena Qureshi , Godfrey
- Director: Iman Zawahry
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Indian/South Asian actors, Black actors
- Studio: Sony Pictures
- Genre: Romance
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Courage , Empathy
- Run time: 91 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: some suggestive material and language
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: October 6, 2023
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