“The Pursuit of Happyness” (Sony Pictures)
Long Hard Road To Success
Will Smith plays Chris Gardner in “The Pursuit of Happyness,” a new movie based on a true story. The story is all about a long, hard journey to success. It would have been nicer if there had been a little fewer struggles shown and a bit more of the success displayed on the screen.
The film starts with Chris (Will Smith) trying to sell medical equipment in San Francisco. He, his wife Linda (Thandie Newton), and their son Christopher (Jaden Smith) really have to struggle to make ends meet. They owe back rent, parking tickets, day care and a million other bills.
One day Chris sees a guy parking an expensive looking car. He asks what the man does and he replies that he is a stockbroker. Chris decides to apply for an intern program at Dean Whiter, not knowing that the intern program does not pay a salary of any kind. Meanwhile Linda decides she will move to New York and try to find a better life. This leaves Chris and Christopher on their own.
Everything that can go wrong does and soon the two Chris’ find themselves homeless and on the street. It is a sad state of affairs and one the movie goes into great detail to show. The two barely have enough to eat, and every time they get some extra money something comes along to take it away.
Will Smith is very good as Chris. He gives him the heartache and the dignity that the role requires. Jaden Smith (Will’s real life son) is excellent as Christopher. He brings his true life bond with his father to the screen and makes the father-son relationship a joy to watch.
Thandie Newton is also very good as Linda. She manages to show her frustration and desperation which makes you understand somewhat why she has to leave. Newton is good in everything she does and she is outstanding here.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and mild violence.
The spelling of “happyness” in the title is on purpose and is addressed in the film. It has to do with a mural on a wall near Christopher’s day care.
The movie is one constant struggle after another. It is wearing on the audience and makes the overall enjoyment of the movie less than it otherwise would be. If the makers of the film had provided more time in the successful part of Gardner’s life the movie would have been better.
“The Pursuit of Happyness” is a tribute to the virtues of hard work and perseverance. It teaches the lesson that hard work will pay off if you wait long enough and never give up home. It worked for Chris Gardner and it can work for you.
I scored “The Pursuit of Happyness” a Jeffersonian 6 out of 10.
