Can lift the spirits of a dead man!!

Rating: 10/10 (24 July 2013)

Watching this movie is like watching a movie on a country achieving independence after a long struggle. A movie that should form a part of the syllabus in schools, colleges, rehabilitation centers, etc. Parents should show this to kids not doing well. During these times of job losses and lacklustre business environment the world has been going through for the 12-24 months now, this movie should be aired everyday! (I'm lucky to be holding on to my job yet :))
2 parts like any movies - story and the movie per se. I cannot appreciate the greatness of the life story of Chris Gardener without sounding clichÃ©d and boring. It's a story of perseverance, unfettered killer determination, hope, helplessness, confidence, optimism and love for family. The real story is probably even more depressing and gripping due to the longevity of the tough times Chris Gardener went through. Stories such as this can even lift a dead man's spirits!
The movie is just about the story - the story is the hero here. But all credit goes to the director and the actors for not spoiling a legendary story and doing all justice to it.
The movie is nothing of short of wonderful and respectful. Respectful for the justice it has done to one of the most inspiring stories the world has ever witnessed. Very powerful screenplay and performances gives the movie the much needed spirit. Both Smiths have given their career best performances. Will Smith's performance can draw you from where you are in to his world and let you go after 2 hrs with refilled sense of optimism, inspiration and confidence.
Parts of the movie will make you cry because Gardener cries / suffers, make you smile because he smiles, gets you worried because he's worried and finally "pursue happiness" because he does it. Gardener's little facial expressions and changes in body language are worth a million words. The everlasting smile on his face and the positive energy he exudes when he meets people despite the fact that he was sleeping in a public toilet at the railway station the previous night or he was arrested for failure to pay parking tickets teaches one a lot. While it may not mean that he's actually happy or positive or hopeful (and in fact it actually does not mean that as his anxiety and worry about his future and his kid's future is being easily given away by his eyes), it certainly means that he believes in fighting. That last scene where he gets his job takes the cake. Like he says in the movie "this part, this little part" deserves standing ovation.
The whole movie was something I could relate to though by no means was my experiences anywhere near Gardener's. But the last scene reminded me of similar emotions I went through and similar reactions I had when something similar occurred in my life.
One of the handful of movies that had a lasting impact on me. It is not a 2 timer, 10-timer or something. It's a multi timer. It's like a medicine that's got to be taken whenever the going gets tough. Learnt a lot from this movie. To mention a few - "there is no y (why) in happiness", "happyness is something that can only be pursued but not had".
Kudos to the team that made this movie. And salute Mr Gardener.
10/10.