‘Smoking Tigers’ Review – Poignant Coming-Of-Age Story Is A Beautiful Inversion Of The American Dream

Coming-of-age stories are nothing new in movies. In the case of Smoking Tigers, the film does not unearth a new take on the familiar tale. However, despite the familiarity of, in this case, a lonely teenage girl trying to find her way in life, the movie offers an intimate and compelling study. The film centers entirely on a Korean family in America and their community. The use of the Americana backdrops gives the film a unique power. The imagery allows the filmmaker to tell a story that is both relatable and insightful. Smoking Tigers paints an authentic look at the end of childhood innocence and the awakening of adulthood. It does so without grandstanding or bravado. Like a soft melody, the film touches your soul and stays with you like a fond memory.

Centering on the life of teen Hayoung (Ji-young Yoo), we follow as she strives to make her way through academic boot camp. During the semester, three wealthy students take her under their wing. Hayoung, who hails from a working-class background and a broken family, works hard to fit in with her peers while hiding her home life at the same time. By comparison, her friends are the opposite of her family. They are living the American way of life: successful and happy. However, as Hayoung struggles to augment her pretenses, she risks exposure but, in the process, learns life’s hard knocks.

Set in the early 2000s in the City of Angels, Smoking Tigers showcases the American Dream through the eyes of immigrants. The film inverts this idea, telling a story of dreams that do not match reality. The aim here is a beautiful but sad portrait that is overall realistic. It prompts us to ponder: What happens when our dreams and reality diverge?

Hayoung, at the start of her journey, is lonely and broken. Her family issues and low-income status feed her longing for a better life. Her father (Jeong Joon-ho) struggles financially and inevitably decides to return to South Korea for better business opportunities. There exists embarrassment on Hayoung’s part regarding her status in life. She works to correct this by passing off a house on the market as her home to her friends. Much of the story concentrates on Hayoung wanting to be someone other than herself – a reality that ultimately is shattered as she reconciles the hard truths of life.

Once Hayoung stops comparing herself to others and realizes that even her wealthy friends are not as they seem, she begins to accept and appreciate her life story. Writer and Director So Young Shelly Yo weaves a commentary over the nature of appearances and pretenses without being preachy. This is a story that comes from the heart, but it is constructed around truths. The result offers no ‘happily ever after’ but instead lands on the value of appreciating one’s self-worth.

The story centers on Hayoung and Ji-young Yoo’s beautiful portrayal of teenage anxiety and personal growth. The film’s most outstanding achievement is its humanistic approach. Despite blending cultures and worldviews, the film offers a universal take. Fears and hopes transcend a nation’s borders. It is the human experience to yearn for more than what currently exists. Finding beauty in the broken images instead of turning away in disgust is quite powerful, fostering a sense of connection and empathy.

Smoking Tigers provides a compelling arc of finding hope, even in the face of flaws and loneliness, for what is life if not a series of steps forward? This film is bold in its willingness to showcase that growing up does not mean figuring everything out but being able to learn. Though some might find this take a bit dramatic, that is ultimately the film’s greatest strength. There is a poignancy in the bittersweet truths of life that allows us insight. We can still feel whole even in the face of disappointment or rejection.

Smoking Tigers will debut at the Laemmle Glendale starting August 16, 2024. The film will also be available to stream on Max on August 23rd.