Will's Pursuit.

Rating: 8/10 (19 March 2016)

The Pursuit of Happiness (2006): Dir: Gabriele Muccino / Cast: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton, Dan Castellaneta, Brian Howe: Touching story about our constant awareness for contentment. Set in 1981 Will Smith plays a struggling salesman whose marriage is troubled but he wishes to support his five year old son. After his wife leaves he applies to be a stock broker while spending nights with his son in a shelter after being evicted. While somewhat repetitious one cannot help but feel triumphant as one source struggles aimlessly until patience pays off. Director Gabriele Muccino succeeds in transpiring a realistic worldview for which viewers can relate. Yet the film's strength relies within the real life father / son relationship between Smith and his son Jaden. Will Smith delivers one of his best performances as a loving father struggling to support his son. He is intelligent and thankfully rises above his circumstances by overtaking opportunities with humility. Jaden plays off the confusion and simplistic understanding of his son. Thandie Newton plays his frustrated over-worked wife but the role is merely a prop. Viewers can see where this aspect of the story is headed and Newton's talent isn't elevated above the predictable subplot. Others roles are cardboard and dull at best but its theme rings true regarding our quest for family and contentment. Score: 8 / 10