Happiness with a Y

Rating: 9/10 (28 December 2006)

While a pivotal scene regarding the misspelling of the word "happiness" might have been cut (according to IMDb's trivia section), the significance of the misspelling was not completely lost. The fact that the Chinese-run daycare misspelled the word contains meaning enough. Many people come from all over the world to pursue happiness, and of course many of those people, especially those whose languages don't even contain alphabets, spell "happiness" incorrectly. I thought it was a nicely placed symbol.
I loved the movie, and it is not just because I lived in SF for fifteen years and drove a Yellow cab for two and sang in the choir of Glide Memorial Church where Chris Gardner was and is a member, but because the story was very well performed and presented. I cried every time Will Smith cried. I felt as though I was there.
I too was once homeless - when I was in high school - and I know exactly what that feeling of moving forward despite everything feels like.
Now, I am a Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer. This afternoon I brought my Little to the movie. I hope she could fathom the significance of the message - that with drive, perseverance and a keen understanding and exploitation of one's natural attributes can you not only pursue happiness, but actually wholeheartedly embrace it.
Anyhootle, despite any missteps in continuity or time/date issues, the movie was a delight.
Andrea Kittelson