Touching, Inspiring & Uplifting But Also Overly Sentimental At Times

Rating: Null/10 (16 September 2016)

Touching, inspiring & emotionally uplifting but also overly sentimental at times, The Pursuit of Happiness is a tenderly crafted, expertly narrated & brilliantly performed biographical drama that's brought to life with utmost care & sincerity, and is also notable for featuring one of Will Smith's most memorable performances to date.
The Pursuit of Happiness tells the story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who loses his wife, his house, his bank accounts & is forced to live out in the streets with his son when the device he invested his entire life savings into does not produce the results he was hoping for. Desperate for a steady job, he takes an unpaid internship to compete for the paid position of a stockbroker.
Directed by Gabriele Muccino, the story unfolds at a steady pace and is able to keep the interest alive throughout its runtime. The struggles, disappointments & desperation that our protagonist undergoes is highlighted in a grounded manner and is relatable to quite an extent. Its character- driven plot & deftly written script provides sufficient depth to our lead guy's arc that effortlessly allows the viewers to invest in his journey.
Coming to the performances, The Pursuit of Happiness is a one-man show that finds Will Smith at the top of his game as he chips in with an emotionally dense, wonderfully balanced & surprisingly down-to-earth input and it remains one of the finest works of his acting career. Jaden Smith also provides a heartfelt support in the role of Gardner Jr. and the moments between this father & son duo are beautifully captured.
There are times when it goes slightly overboard with its melodramatic elements but for the most part, the emotional response it garners from its viewers is well-earned. The technical aspects are finely executed, Editing is smoothly carried out and keeps its plot moving ahead at a consistent pace, while its background score silently enhances the overall experience with its mesmerising tracks and nicely compliments the whole narrative.
On an overall scale, The Pursuit of Happiness is a fascinating illustration of the American dream that also serves as an engrossing portrait of father-son bonding, and is amongst the best films of its year. Powered by a strong lead show by one of Hollywood's most bankable stars and delighting its audience with a real-life story that's heartwarming, heartbreaking & gratifying on more levels than one, The Pursuit of Happiness comes thoroughly recommended.