Artless Americana

Rating: 5/10 (1 May 2007)

A nicely sanitized version of the real Chris Gardner story and it plays with an odd lifelessness, even though Will Smith, along with his charming little son, gives it his amiable best.
The poverty laden underbelly of the U.S., for once, is graphically depicted and that was a plus. But the pursuit of happiness, as promised by Thomas Jefferson ends up, as it always does, in the corporate money-pot.
The depiction of the marriage was too thin to have any impact, it was as if the script writers did not know what to do with this end of the plot so the gorgeous and capable Thandie Newton was given short shrift as a miserable little shrew who marches off quickly, sans son, for a better life.
There are many shots of the studly, dark-suited Will heading across streets and up hills at a very graceful loping gallop. Many shots of him tucking his son into bed in various depressing hostels and cheap motels. Some touching moments between father and child played quite beautifully.
But the whole of it is like a deceptive box of chocolates, all glistening paper and satin bows and inside all you get are these cheap chocolates and not the Belgians you expected.
Disappointing. 5 out of 10.