He tried to smile, but it was ...

He tried to smile, but it was just a shape his mouth made.
 Melissa Bank

Quotes from the same author

In the cab to the station, he told me that when he was growing up he'd see a look of pleasure cross his mother's face and ask what she was thinking: she'd say, I was just thinking of your father. "That's how I want us to be," Archie said. I smiled. "What?" I said, "I was just thinking of your father.
 Melissa Bank
Basically, all anyone has to do is ask me for fun details or tell me to be creative, and my mind turns to mud. I am instantly the most boring person you've ever met.
 Melissa Bank