Excellent realist piece of Hollywood

Rating: 7/10 (20 March 2007)

A touching, if slightly manipulative docudrama based around the financial struggling of one Chris Gardner, this inspirational yarn has just enough integrity to override much self-importance found throughout a somewhat preachy script. While relying on another rags-to-riches scenario to hold interest, what The Pursuit of Happiness does well is balance a grimy realism with Hollywood aspirations of sentimentality so as to wrangle both types of cinema lovers in creating one of the more impressive family films to emerge in a while.
Credit producer and star Will Smith for knowing exactly how to play this one. From the sensible employment of Italian filmmaker Gabriele Muccino (who often elevates scene after scene with a greater eye for direction then this American genre is used to seeing), to an instantly appealing soundtrack, right down to his own contribution of his most assured performance to date, Smith is in fine form here. Once again reestablishing his dramatic credit as an actor, the one time rapper and punch line proves he can still carry a film of dramatic weight, and make beneficial choices behind the scenes. The casting of his real son to play his son here, who spends almost as much time on screen as the lead, should have come across as a self indulgent move the likes Hollywood royalty get to wallow in plenty. But just as the script's seemingly cornball leaning somehow plays out with more inherent truth then it should, Smith is able to utilize the precious bond he has with his son to astonishing effect in a way that hardly feels exploitive. Mild cases of overacting do arise, though a certain sincerity based on this real life hardship manages to shine through nearly every clichéd moment.