The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness: If this had to be a 2 word review: Heart Warming. Will Smith plays Chris Gardner, a real life salesman who was pushed to the point of homelessness in an attempt to reach his life goal. The movie is based on true events and the script is actually adapted from the book Chris Gardner wrote about his struggles. When the story opens we find Chris selling or I should say “trying” to sell bone density scanners – something it turns out most hospitals are not in need of. With bills piling up, taxes to pay, and a young son to take care of, the Gardner’s are struggling to get by. When Chris decides to try a new career path (becoming a stock broker), his wife decides she has had enough and leaves the family. The struggles really get bad when Chris enters a training program as an intern at a brokerage firm. The program is 6 months long with no pay and no guarantee of a job when he is done either. We see a man literally hang it all out on the line to reach his dream. I have to admit I am a sucker for these kinds of stories. Seeing a person against all odds reach his goal always strikes a cord with me. As for the performance of Will Smith – brilliant, probably his best work to date. Will Smith carries this story from start to finish. His real life son, Jaden Smith, plays his on screen son and was serviceable (the good thing being he was not distracting like some young kid actors can be). The ending is uplifting and emotional and it all works in large part to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air……Will Smith.
* * * and ½ or Grade: B+

If this movie had parents they would be: Rudy & Trading Places

With a run time of 117 minutes
This film is rated PG-13