Brilliantly Understated Classic

Rating: 10/10 (26 December 2007)

I rarely find myself in awe of an actor's ability, but Will Smith solidifies his standing as one of Hollywood's finest talents with his performance in this gem. It is especially impressive when you consider his career started when he was basically drafted for a lightweight sit-com from a teeny-bopper rap duo because he displayed charisma and humor in his MTV videos.
His poignant portrayal of the struggling, yet determined, Chris Gardner is one of the single most inspiring on-screen performances of the past twenty years. I initially saw this on a cross country airline flight with its inherent distractions, so I did not fully appreciate it until watching on DVD again last night. The entire performance is brilliant, but the defining moment is when he is huddled with his son in a locked restroom at the subway station when he has nowhere else to go. Without uttering a word, he had my eyes welling with tears - and I generally do not get weepy during movies. If you are not touched and inspired by this movie, check yourself for a pulse, and if Will Smith is not, at the very least, nominated for Best Actor, they should just cancel the whole Oscar ceremony.
Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, step aside and make room. Will Smith has made himself more than worthy of being regarded as one of the truly elite performers.