The
Pursuit of Happyness is the most inspirational films of the year. Yes, even more
so than Rocky Balboa. Credit Will Smith for not only getting behind this true
story as a producer, but for delivering his best performance outside of Ali.
In
The Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith is Chris Garnder, a down on his luck salesman
who must figure out a way to provide for his son after separating from his discouraged
wife (Thandie Newton). Desperate for a job, Gardner takes a competitive internship
at a Dean Witter brokerage. Since the job doesn't include a pay check, the bills
keep piling up, and Gardner finds himself and his son (played by Smith's real
life son, Jaden) out on the street. As the story progresses, Gardner's situation
becomes more desperate as he continues to battle for a position Dean Witter.
I
really wasn't terribly anxious to see this film because it looked like one of
those movies that simply cries Oscar. Well, I was wrong. The Pursuit of Happyness
is a heartfelt tale of inspiration and it benefits from powerful performances
and a lack of cliches that one might expect from a film of this nature.
Will
Smith is the genuine article in this movie. As cheesy as it sounds, he really
made me want to stand up and cheer. Midway through the picture, watch as Smith
tries to turn a dire situation into a gentle game with his young son. It's an
incredibly well played scene and it really broke my heart. But the single most
moving moment of the movie, happens during the ending. I had a feeling I knew
where things might be headed, but director Gabriele Muccino remains a step ahead.
The big moment in the final act nearly moved me to tears, and as I walked out
of the theater, I had a great big lump in my throat.
Will's
son Jaden holds his own in a performance that's cute without being overly cute
(a similar feat pulled off by Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine). He's just
a joy to watch and he and his father prove to have a palpable on screen chemistry.
There
are a lot of things to admire about this movie. Most notably, I liked that it
never played the race card. I thought it might but it never did, nor should it.
Because that's not what the movie is about.
The
Pursuit of Happyness will most likely appeal to fathers and sons, because fathers
and sons will most likely be able to identify with Chris Gardner's plight. I certainly
did. While I've never sank to the depths of Chris' situation in this movie, I
could still sympathize, because most of us have been there to some degree. The
Pursuit of Happyness is truthful in its approach. It never overplays the proceedings.
It's about a guy who works hard to get somewhere, and he does it not only for
himself, but for his family as well. And while that's not exactly a novel theme,
Muccino puts just the right spin on it to make it resonate in a way that's both
personal and universal.
On
a final note, there's been a lot a talk about the misspelling in the title. It
is acknowledged in the film. I just thought I'd bring that up.
Who's
In It: 
The
Pursuit of Happyness is the most inspirational films of the year. Yes, even more
so than Rocky Balboa. Credit Will Smith for not only getting behind this true
story as a producer, but for delivering his best performance outside of Ali.
