One Man Struggle for a better life

Rating: 10/10 (17 March 2011)

The Pursuit of Happiness was a beautiful movie with a theme that sold out to the audience showing that one man in pursuit of his happiness regardless of his difficulties in life. There were many lessons to learn from this movie. The word Happiness was spelled incorrectly but there was something special in the word that stood out and so was Chris Gardener. It foretold happiness, joy, and abundance in life. Though Chris complained about the spelling many times, but there was a true meaning behind it. Chris Gardner (Will Smith) was a man of courage who was willing to risk many things in life for a better future. He was not afraid of anything and was willing to face his challenges regardless of the circumstances. His experience in life was a very challenging one. His wife, Linda (Thandie Newton) thought that failure for him was inevitable, but to Chris it was a risk that he was willing to take to make life better for his family. Chris was going through the storm, but he left his fears behind to seek for lasting peace and a better future. He was persistent in every disappointment that he encountered. His wife, Linda hurtful actions and her personal choice did not destroy his hope for his future. It did not sap his energy and rob him of his joy that he would encounter in the future. Being homeless was a price he had to pay so he could fight harder to achieve his goal. The lighting was appropriate when he was hustling on the streets during the day to sell his bone densitometry machines.
There were many guilt trips that was place upon him by his landlord for not being able to pay his rent on time, his wife nagging him about not bringing in money and she had to work extended hours for the family to survive, the daycare that did not provide proper scholastic teaching for the children in which he knew, but that was all he could afford. He knew that with much faith one day he would resurrect from that life of poverty and excel in this country. He believed that if he studied hard and work hard he would reap his harvest of plenty. He trusted in his inner being to direct him in making his decisions. He did not allow his wife to keep their son Christopher Gardner (Jaden Smith); she would have to go alone. Where ever Chris was he wanted his son to be there. He was a great example to Christopher and a great father. He loved Christopher and promised that he would not let him down. He protected Christopher in every way he could. He was patient and a very positive father to him. He always had some encouraging words for Christopher. He persevered through his struggles and won. In comparison, to Freedom Writers where one teacher, Ms. Gruwell (Hilary Swank) fought tirelessly to help students from gang trouble community to better themselves by continuing to attend school and avoid the dangers of gang life. Giving them the tool to become college graduates and achieve a career for a better future. There were many great characteristic in Chris that many people can look at him and his achievement to partner their lives on that of Chris to become stronger and more persistent when trying to achieve their goals.