The Pursuit of Happiness

Rating: 6/10 (8 July 2007)

Based on a true story, this is quite a good drama showing the traumas of poverty and homelessness, and how it affects family life. Basically it is the 1980's, and Chris Gardner (Oscar (the only one) and Golden Globe nominated Will Smith) is currently a struggling salesman who once a month sells hospitals little needed medical bone density scanners, and because of failing to make a decent living, his wife Linda (Crash's Thandie Newton) leaves him with their son, Christopher (introducing Smith's real life son, Jaden Smith). Chris then has the inspiration to become a stockbroker, where he has a one in twenty chance for a full time (and paid) career. Meanwhile, he and Christopher are living as best they can on whatever they can get their hands on, as long as he can keep selling his scanners (and not have them nicked). Their life starts to crumble though when they are forced out of their house, and are now homeless, with only the city shelter to go to. There is also a point when Christopher goes to prison. But their hope grows when he finally sells a scanner, that he had to mend, and he is more recognised at the company. In the end he achieves his dream, because he signed up the most companies (due to his never hanging up the company phone) and he is the company's new stockbroker, and a millionaire, the text at the end said he went on to more success. Also starring Brian Howe as Jay Twistle, James Karen as Martin Frohm, The Simpsons' Dan Castellaneta as Alan Frakesh and Scary Movie's Kurt Fuller as Walter Ribbon. I like Smith's narration, there are some small comedic moments, and the relationship between him and his real son is strong, I can agree the film does focus on more despair, but that is the point for this quite realistic biographical drama. It was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Original Song for "A Father's Way". Will Smith was number 51 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars. Good!