In the Review

Rating: 9/10 (23 February 2016)

The pursuit of happiness is every person's right. Achieving it is never easy, but it's what comes after, that is important. Based on an autobiography from the real Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happiness starring Will Smith and Jayden Smith is a film on Chris Gardner's life journey and struggles. If you want to see a film about life, struggles, family, and drama, you should definitely watch this movie. Chris (Will Smith) is an ambitious and intelligent person trying to find his happiness in the world for himself and his son Christopher (Jayden Smith). He struggles to get by with only being a salesman selling hospital equipment to doctors that most of the time don't even want it. His marriage also falls apart and his wife decides to leave him. On the brink of homelessness and eventually becoming homeless, he lands an internship with no pay for six months with a slim to none chance of actually becoming a stockbroker. Even though life is hitting him hard, he is still pushing to achieve his dream of finding happiness. Will Smith is extraordinary as Chris Gardner. He is an inspirational person that anyone could look up to: positive, driven, and loving. You get an insight into his emotions throughout the whole film. Will utilizes his facial expressions and body to convey his character effectively. That blank and broken gaze he gives when he just feels like giving up is a defeat no one wants to experience. However, he still stays positive and driven to be something better for his family. He really delved into the character and gave a good performance. Another important actor was Jayden Smith. He does a fantastic job portraying Christopher in this film. With being a child himself and the first film he has ever been in, he pulled it off. From the emotions he conveys such as sadness, awareness, and courage, you effectively understand him through the screen. The way Jayden carried himself as Christopher in the film made him a very likable and key character. His skills of acting really made the connection to the viewers. You could feel what he was feeling, and think what he was thinking. Both actors were a strong duo; the performances in this film made it an excellent and touching movie. The plot is relatable and that is why this film is so good. His family issues, money problems, and failures at being successful are important aspects of life. But, the only way to find happiness is to pick yourself up and keep going. Even though Hollywood is not always the most truthful, many of the events actually did occur in Chris Gardner's life. The direction of the film showed many perspectives on life in the light and in the dark. The audience has a chance to relate to the film or get an insight into a world unknown to them to maybe be more appreciative of the life they have or inspired to make a change. The honesty of never-ending downs, positives, and travails in many people's lives are what makes the time line of this film great. The essence of this film is to inspire people to achieve this American Dream that is prevalent in every person's life. The dream is to have money, but we all know that it does not buy happiness. Although, money would surely help a person achieve it, but that's not the point of the film. The point is to not lose yourself when life is hard. The point is to stay positive on the outlook of the future. It's just a heart-warming movie that shows the life of many people living in America today trying to improve their quality of lives. Not everybody is as fortunate as others, but in the end it is all about finding your own true happiness in life.