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The Pursuit of
Happyness
Directed by: Gabriele Muccino
Starring: Will Smith
Genre:
Drama
Run Time: 117
min.
Release Date:
December 2006
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
If you’re not a feel-good person, it’s
still okay to watch THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS. Although it has some of
those moments, it stands out more as a story of human struggle than a
touchy-feely film. That it’s based on the real-life events of Chris
Gardner also increases its emotional heft as the story pulls you in. But
there is a bit of cheating that must be mentioned....
Most of the story’s impact comes from the father/son relationship
between Chris (Will Smith, THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE) and his son
Christopher (played by Smith’s real-life son, Jaden). The interactions
between these two are so natural and effortless that it makes watching
the film a sheer joy. But herein lay the trap. If any other young actor
had played beside Will Smith, I don’t think it would’ve come off as
easy. But one can’t blame the film team for making this decision. Jaden
Smith was the perfect choice, no matter how unfair it might seem to
other father/son film’s that struggle with the easy-going nature of
similar characters.
Viewing one man’s dogged determination to maintain a functioning
relationship with his son would be admirable in today’s society no
matter what. Especially coming from a financially destitute and broken
family. That Chris Gardner refused to give up on his dream of becoming a
successful father and businessman is felt throughout the movie as Will
Smith’s Academy Award nominated performance comes tumbling off the
screen. Losing everything only to scramble back up and be repeatedly
challenged is nothing new to cinema, but Smith’s completely believable
performance is something of a wonder. The real Chris Gardner put himself
on loan to Smith and the production so that everything had that
authentic feel. It also meant that there were fewer liberties taken with
the story, as Gardner wouldn’t allow certain omissions or changes.
The big surprise, though, was Jaden Smith, Will Smith’s son. His corny
jokes, tickle-fests, vivid imagination (dinosaurs?), and touching
dialogue all moved the story into brighter territory during the darkest
times. Thandie Newton (CRASH)
also plays well as Smith’s alienated wife but has little screen time.
Learning to never give up on your dreams is something we can all take to
the bank. And Mr. Gardner certainly did. He’s now a multimillionaire
who’s assisting the poor in the very San Francisco neighborhood where
this sobering story takes place. Giving back to the homeless shelters
and getting notice out about hunger in our own cities, Chris Gardner is
not only a success, he’s smart and thoughtful. If for no other reason
than that, you should watch The Pursuit of Happyness.
(Note: At the very end of the film, the real Chris Gardner has a cameo
spot while wearing a very expensive suit. The film makers did this in
order to show how far Mr. Gardner had come.)
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Image from The Pursuit of
Happyness
DVD cost: $21.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
The homeless people who
worked as extras were paid a full day's minimum wage (which is $8.62/hr
in SF) and given free catered meals as compensation for appearing in the
film. For some it was the first money they'd made in a while.
Movie Quote: "Don't
let somebody tell you you can't do something. Not even me."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Pursuit of Happyness
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