title: Smitty (film)
text: # Smitty (film)
  
  Smitty is a 2012 American family drama film directed by David Mickey Evans and starring Mira Sorvino, Peter Fonda and Louis Gossett Jr.
  
  ## Plot
  
  Amanda leaves her son Ben with her estranged father Jack, a grumpy Iowa farmer, after he gets in trouble too many times in Chicago. Jack successfully straightens the boy out with good food, farm chores, and a dog; the dog's former owners could not afford to keep him, and Ben names him after Mr. Smith, a wise storekeeper who befriends him.
  
  ## Cast
  
  * Peter Fonda as Jack
  * Mira Sorvino as Amanda
  * Brandon Tyler Russell [it] as Ben
  * Louis Gossett Jr. as Mr. Smith
  * Jason London as Russell
  * Gabrielle Bui as Tia
  * Booboo Stewart as Peebo
  * Lolita Davidovich as Judge Greenstein
  
  ## Production
  
  Filming occurred in Iowa.
  
  ## Release
  
  The film premiered at the WorldFest-Houston International Film/Video Festival in April 2012.
  
  ## Reception
  
  Tracey Moore of Common Sense Media awarded the film three stars out of five. Nancy Adamson of the Midland Reporter-Telegram graded the film a C.
  
  Duane Byrge of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a positive review and wrote, “...but there is a great big Middle American audience out there for this heartfelt entertainment.“
  
  