Why not?

Rating: 7/10 (17 December 2006)

In life, there are certain moments that when you look back on them a smile plays around your lips. For Chris Gardner, looking back at 1981 will bring a smile and a tear.
The Pursuit of Happiness stars Will Smith in his most sincere and serious role since 2001's Ali. Here we find Smith as Chris Gardner, an out of luck salesman who is desperately trying to support for his son Christopher, played by his real life son Jaden Smith, and his over worked wife Linda (Thandie Newton).
One day while on his way to try and persuade some doctors to buy a portable bone density scanner, Chris runs into a well-to-do stock broker who seems to have it all. The car, the job, and the happiness Chris is searching for. From that moment on, his determination cranks up higher than ever to try and land a job as a stock broker.
All the while Linda is slaving at work while trying to deal with their debt and her husbands failing sales career. Fed up with his far out dreams, she needs to get closer to reality by leaving all of this behind and starting a new in New York City, even if it means leaving behind the husband she once loved and the son she can't care for. Chris and Christopher now must fend for themselves against the harshness that is life.
Italian director Gabriele Muccino had not directed a movie in the states previous to Happiness. With the help of writer Steve Conrad (The Weather Man), the film was pointed in the right direction. Inspired by a true story, there is no better person to fit the shoes of Chris Gardner than Smith, someone who is not shy on letting his emotions spill out onto the film.
First timer Jaden Smith is a blessing for the film. One of the main characters, Jaden had to take on a demanding role, at times emotionally stressful. I'm sure having his papa there was a big help. The two have the perfect on screen chemistry that is intense, memorable, and down to earth. There is a definite bond, for obvious reasons, and it shows on screen.
Although the story is one that is not so foreign, it is still uplifting. Like last years Cinderella Man, Happiness takes on the "underdog" genre cleverly and passionately. It is a heart melting tale of one man trying to survive in an urban jungle that is just waiting for the cards to fall in his favor for once.
Certainly there are a handful a year that aim at pushing this message of "never give up" and "keep on dreaming". Some just don't quite succeed be it the acting or a weak and over used story. Happiness fits the mold, not breaking it, but certainly filling it to the brim.
Happiness works on an emotional level. Smith carries the picture from beginning to end. Never once breaking character or going over the top. You won't find groundbreaking filming techniques, but that's not to say that the film doesn't look nice. The music too goes right along with the story, seemingly bringing out the emotions of the characters.
In a world where people can be so cold and so harsh, there are those who survive and thrive amongst us. Not everyone has there life story told on film. Some with the most incredible stories go unnoticed. But there are those that don't and these are the stories that inspire and keep us believing in ourselves. This film, this story, answers the question, "Why not?"