Pretty good

Rating: 7/10 (10 August 2007)

Will Smith is one of my favorite actors. Not because I think he is one of the greatest, but every movie he's been in, I've enjoyed, and there's quite a lot of those films. This is the first film I've seen with him where it's not about action; it's all about the drama and reality of one man struggling to survive through a financially tough time.
In probably his best performance yet, Will Smith plays Chris Gardner, a truly lovable but flawed man who is trying to get a job at an internship while not receiving any salary and simultaneously trying to keep his son safe. From a house to a motel to a bathroom, Smith evokes emotions I've never seen before, and it is very effective, especially in the scene where he sleeps in a bathroom and silently cries with his son on his lap.
The story is also nice; I wasn't absorbed by it but it entertained me throughout its duration. It moved at a steady pace and things constantly happened, holding my interest. What makes it sad is that it's a true story, so this gives it some credibility.
Other than that, I hate to say the movie is no more than average. The kid is a nice actor and all but does have an occasional bratty moment that made me want to jump inside the movie and slap the kid upside the head for being so naive. But then again, he is a child and certainly more simplistic than his father who knows the emotional dangers of his situation.
So the movie did keep me entertained and I will probably buy it unless I find something better. I liked it and you will too, but it's not something that makes me want to watch it over and over again. 6.9/10.