The Pursuit of Happyness
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS: WILL SMITH AT HIS FINEST
Inspired by the true story of Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness is a rags to riches story directed by Italian director Gabriele Muccino. It stars Will Smith and his real life son Jaden Christopher Syre Smith. Smith has proven himself to not only be a box office draw (Independence Day, I,Robot) but also as a well respected actor (Ali, Six Degrees of Separation). He does not disappoint in his latest film. Smith is at his best with this performance and Jaden shows that he is truly his father’s son.
Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a medical supplies salesman. To be more specific, he sells bone density scanners that he has bought with his life’s savings. He has trouble selling these machines that doctors see as an unnecessary luxury. He has a family to support. He is broke. So when he meets a man that drives a Ferrari, he asks him what he does. The man reveals that he is a stockbroker. This inspires Chris to apply for a Dean Witter internship to better his and his son (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith)’s life. As the internship doesn’t pay, Chris struggles through the internship by selling the rest of his scanners to support his son. Chris also deals with having to find places for the two of them to sleep once he is eventually thrown out of his home.
Happyness is about the pursuit of the American Dream. Smith chose Muccino to direct this film as he wanted fresh eyes to see what that means to somebody who is not an American. The result is a heartwarming story that will inspire at the very least. The acting is superb. Will shows again what a great actor he is. Just with his eyes do you see how weary his character is. His body slouches under all the pressure. And his son Jaden is no slouch either. There is one particular scene where Chris asks his son if he wants a candy bar that is heartbreaking. Jaden’s innocence and his relationship with his dad conveys the love between these two, on-screen and off. Talent obviously runs in this family. Their situation is also shown through the sadder side of San Francisco. The daycare that Christopher attends has graffiti on it that spells Happyness. This pushes Chris to get his son out of the daycare and out of this life. This is only enhanced when they are shown standing in line to get a bed at the shelter. This shows how many people were in this situation at the time (during the 80s) and that probably still are.
There is only part of a scene that would have made the film better with its absence. When Chris and his son are shown in line to get into the shelter you see a convertible filled with Caucasians driving around the corner past the shelter. They are laughing and they look like they don’t have a care in the world. From their clothes, to the laughter, even to their ethnicity, it only rang fake and obvious. It stuck out like a sore thumb and only took away from the humanity of the film.
The Pursuit of Happyness is a touching movie. It is a great movie about sacrifice, hard work, and the love between a parent and a child. Will Smith is outstanding. And be on the lookout for Jaden Smith. This won’t be the last you see of him.
Report Card:
Story-B
Acting-A
Visuals-B
Originality/Innovation-B+
Enjoyability Grade–A
Overall Grade-A-
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