🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Chad Hartigan
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Release year: 2016
- Runtime (length): 1h 31min
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10 (5.7K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A teenager from America moves to Germany, raps badly, and gets friend-zoned harder than anyone ever has before.
🍿 Morris from America: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Fish Out of Water
13-year-old Morris Gentry, an African-American boy with a passion for rap, relocates to Heidelberg, Germany with his father, Curtis, a professional soccer coach. Already navigating the complexities of adolescence, Morris now faces the added challenge of adapting to a new culture where he doesn’t speak the language and stands out from the crowd. This section explores his initial struggles with isolation and the pressure to fit in.

Finding Connection
Morris enrolls in German language classes where he meets Inka, his tutor. Inka suggests he attend a local youth center to socialize with other teens. There, he encounters a group of German kids and becomes infatuated with Katrin, a free-spirited and somewhat rebellious local girl. His pursuit of Katrin forms the core of the film’s romantic and coming-of-age narrative. He shares his rapping passion with her hoping to connect.

Challenges and Misunderstandings
As Morris tries to integrate into German society and impress Katrin, he faces cultural misunderstandings and experiences subtle racism from some of the local teens. Katrin, while seemingly receptive to Morris, often uses him or leads him on. His father, Curtis, tries to guide him through these challenges, offering advice based on his own experiences while also navigating the cultural landscape himself.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Morris Gentry (Markees Christmas): A 13-year-old African-American boy navigating adolescence and cultural differences after moving to Germany.
- Curtis Gentry (Craig Robinson): Morris’s father and a soccer coach, striving to support his son while dealing with his own grief and adjustment to a new country.
- Inka (Carla Juri): Morris’s German tutor who offers guidance and becomes a maternal figure.
- Katrin (Lina Keller): A local German girl who becomes Morris’s friend and crush, exposing him to a different side of German youth culture.
- Sven (Patrick Güldenberg): One of Morris’ peers in Germany.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Curtis Gentry: “Have you ever fucked bitches two at a time?” – Curtis asks this question to Morris in an attempt to appear relatable but ends up embarrassing himself.
- Morris: “This is boring old people music” – Morris complains to his father about the hip hop songs he listens to
- Curtis: “You are here to learn German and not act like a jackass” – Curtis admonishes Morris for being disrespectful and immature in Germany.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: $91,151
- Worldwide Gross: $91,151
💥 Morris from America Reviews
Personal Review
I thought ‘Morris from America’ was surprisingly touching. Seeing Morris, a black American kid, navigate German culture was fascinating. His awkwardness and vulnerability felt really relatable. I especially enjoyed his relationship with his dad; they had some genuinely heartwarming scenes. It reminded me of my own struggles to fit in during adolescence, making the film quite personal and memorable.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of coming-of-age stories”
- “Viewers interested in cultural exchange themes”
- “Those who enjoy indie films with heartwarming elements”
- “Craig Robinson fans”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language”
- “Teenage drug use (marijuana)”
- “Suggestive themes”
Professional Reviews
- Variety Film + TV: “Charming Rom-Com Chases Something More as Zoey Deutch Irons Out an Awkward Situation. The movie offers heartwarming moments and a coming-of-age narrative that resonates with viewers.
- The Playlist: “A Heartfelt Look At Sex, Love & Pregnancy In Chad Hartigan’s Sincere RomCom. The film brings out culture clashes and the sexism, racism, coming of age.
Audience Reactions
Viewers loved the genuine father-son relationship depicted in the movie.: Most agreed that the movie accurately portrays the challenges of growing up and trying to find one’s place in a new environment.
Overall Consensus: A heartfelt and relatable coming-of-age story with strong performances, though some find the ending unsatisfying.
Awards
- Sundance Film Festival (Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award)- 2016
- Sundance Film Festival (Special Jury Award for Individual Performance (Craig Robinson))- 2016
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Craig Robinson had to learn conversational German for his role as Curtis.”
- “Director Chad Hartigan originally conceived the script with a white father and son before casting Robinson and Christmas, after which he changed the characters to an African-American father/son duo.”
🖥️ How to Watch Morris from America?
Currently, ‘Morris from America’ can be streamed on various platforms. Check listings on Prime Video, Apple TV, and other major streaming services. It’s also often available for purchase or rental on these same platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Morris from America, you might like these similar films:
- Eighth Grade (2018): Explores the awkwardness and anxieties of adolescence with authenticity and humor, similar to Morris’s struggles with identity and fitting in.
- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015): Deals with themes of friendship, growing up, and finding one’s place in the world with a unique and heartfelt approach, mirroring Morris’s journey.
- The 400 Blows (1959): A classic coming-of-age film that captures the rebelliousness and confusion of youth, resonating with Morris’s struggles against authority and societal expectations.
- Sing Street (2016): Set in 1980s Dublin, a teenager starts a band to impress a girl, echoing Morris’s attempts to express himself through music and connect with Katrin.
🛒 Morris from America Related Products
- Morris from America [Blu-ray]: Own this heartfelt story on Blu-ray and relive the best moments with crystal-clear picture and sound quality. A must-have for any fan of coming-of-age films.
- Morris from America – Movie Poster: Decorate your space with this eye-catching poster. Perfect for adding a touch of cinematic flair to any room and a great conversation starter for fellow movie lovers.
- Craig Robinson Comedy Collection [Digital Download]: Enjoy Craig Robinson’s best comedic performances in one digital collection, featuring stand-up specials and memorable movie roles. Hours of laughter guaranteed!
- Hip-Hop Throwback Playlist – [Digital Music]: Discover some of the best 90s hip-hop artists. Get in the groove and connect with Morris’s music inspiration.
🎧 Soundtrack
Morris from America features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Morris from America’ was filmed in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The film captures the essence of the city’s landscapes and cultural environment.
The film follows the coming-of-age story of Morris Gentry, a 13-year-old African-American boy who moves to Germany with his father. He struggles to adapt to a new culture, navigate first love, and find his own identity amidst the challenges of being an outsider.
‘Morris from America’ is best described as a comedy-drama. It incorporates humorous elements, particularly through the interactions between Morris and his father, but also addresses serious themes of cultural identity, adolescence, and the challenges of growing up.
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