Review of "The Pursuit of Happyness"
Thursday, January 18, 2007

I knew this movie had a lot of potential the moment I saw it’s awesome trailer at the cinema, but now that I’ve actually seen it, I have to admit it surpassed all my expectations. I saw a couple of good 2006 movies, but The Pursuit of Happyness ranks as no. 1 in my personal 2006 top and among the first 10 all time favourites.

Chris Gardner (Will Smith’s character) is a loving father, smart man but a failling businessman struggling with poverty, living in the 1980s San Francisco. He sells bone scanners for a living, but he can barely pay rent and taxes with the earned money so he applies for an unpaid, competitive internship that offers him a very long shot at a better life. The next six moths he has to risk everything on his gamble while also taking care of his son, Christopher (played by Jaden Smith, Will’s real son) after his wife, Linda has left him.

First of all, if you really thought Will Smith couldn’t act well, you’re in for a surprise. You can feel what he’s going through, the pain he has to endure, the effort he has to make every single day in hope of better days, just by looking in his eyes. It’s almost as if he struggles not showing he’s suffering, always trying to be and look happy so when he snaps you can really see it. When he cries, you feel his pain and desperation. Jaden Smith is really adorable and the on-screen chemistry between him and Will is awesome.

Gabriele Muccino, also made a very good job directing the movie, and achieved sending a powerfull message without poking you in the head, like some directors tend to do. Some scenes are really heartbreaking, like the one Chris and his son have to sleep in a BART toilet and the misdirection he uses to protect his son from suffering, the one with the rich people in the car passing the homeless shelter or the one when he cries for the first time and many more. I also like the analogy between Chris’ running and the movie’s title and all the reference to happiness and Thomas Jefferson.

The soundtrack is discrete and well chosen. It does what it’s supposed to do – suport a beautiful, well crafted and powerful film. Doesn’t try to exaggerate those tensed moments, nor is it overused, like in some movies.

This movie is a beautifully crafted and very real story about a father’s struggle with poverty, racism and day-to-day problems in his pursuit of happiness and it was nominated for 2 Golden Globes as well as other 10 awards. It's earned a 10.

Oh, by the way, the real Chris Gardner makes a cameo appearance just at the end, so be on the look out.

RATING: 10/10

Directed by: Gabriele Muccino
Writing credits: Steve Conrad (written by)
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta, Kurt Fuller, and Takayo Fischer

Also Known As: Untitled Chris Gardner Project (USA) (working title)
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some language.
Runtime: 117 min
Country: USA
Language: English
Color: Color
Sound Mix: DTS / Dolby Digital / SDDS
Certification: Ireland:12A / USA:PG-13 (certificate #42013) / Sweden:7 / Netherlands:6 / Singapore:PG / Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) / Canada:G (Quebec) / UK:12A / Italy:T

Awards: Nominated for Oscar. Another 12 nominations

See it also at:
Official site
IMDb
Metacritic

Posted byBurner at 17:33    

Labels: Biography, Drama, Reviews

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