If there was an Oscar for most inspirational.....

Rating: 8/10 (7 January 2007)

SPOILERS:
I really enjoyed this movie and found it to be a very moving, inspirational tale, especially since it is based on a true story. This is one of the better pictures I've seen this year and I would definitely recommend it.
I could see where some would not like this because there are a lot of very painful, bitter moments but the story is more then just interesting, it's fascinating and it just kind of hooks you in. The real Chris Gardner must be quite a guy. The father and son, played by Will and Jaden Smith, put in excellent performances and one becomes immersed in their story or at least I did. It's an unusual movie, quite different then anything I've seen this year.
As mentioned, there are many a morose moment in this and patience is needed to get to the high point of the movie which comes very close to the end. Actually, My biggest criticism would be that moment which, although wonderful, is way to short and feels to hurried. I also found the believability aspect tested when Chris kept running into the same people on the street but that was the only aspect I felt didn't ring quite true. I would also have liked to know more about Linda, played by Thandie Newton. But despite those things the movie is very good. It flows well and the narration which could have been awful, fits the movie so well, I can't imagine the film without it. I felt the movie pulls one into the story from the very beginning. It's fascinating to watch Chris fight for the job and to see how the brokers warm to him.
I think this was a heartwarming intelligent movie, extremely well written and worth seeing. It does help to know the story ahead of time. Although it's sometimes good to come into a movie knowing nothing, in this case, so much of the movie is so sad, that if you know it's going to have a happy ending, it's probably easier to get through. I would definitely recommend this movie.