familiar but well-made and entertaining

Rating: Null/10 (13 March 2007)

Conventional, but meaningful and well-acted true story of Chris Gardner, a struggling 1980s San Francisco salesman and devoted single father whose goal in life is to make something of himself. One day, a chance encounter with a successful stock broker inspires him to go for it all, and he stays determined despite all the difficult obstacles that life continually throws at him. The plotting is familiar, and the narration doesn't always seem necessary, but Smith gives one of the finest performances of his career as Gardner, accompanied by real life son Jaden, and the story is inspiring. Never quite as compelling as it could be, yet still deep and moving. ***