The Smiths save the show...somewhat...

Rating: 5/10 (23 September 2012)

This is a slight movie with some very good performances, especially by the 2 Smiths. It is somewhat a pity to see the talent of Will Smith poured into his usually very silly action flicks. This movie, while no action flick, is nevertheless one that comes across as a big budget after school special instead of the serious drama it pretends to be. But there is a greater disturbing factor to the Pursuit of Happiness: The idea that happiness is equated with money. I laughed out loud when he sees all the stock brokers walking out of work looking so happy. How stressful is their life in reality? And I suppose some would be happy with their paycheck. Pity that a lot of them get it through conning people and manipulating facts. This is only emphasized further by the very last title screen at the end where again it talks about the heroes net worth. It was frankly an offensive slap in the face to anyone who has had to deal with the complex and trying issues of poverty. Poverty is somewhat made out to be a choice rather than a condition or an oppression, and the truth is it is very complex.
And yet there are very moving parts of the human drama, especially through the wonderfully told bonding between the 2 Smith characters. I give it a five for these many moments. An average movie at best with some Oscar worthy performances buried within.