Photo by: Columbia Pictures
Late paying the bills, overworked, stressed and generally unhappy. Meet Chris Gardner, a bone density scanner salesman in 1981 San Francisco. Unfortunately, Gardner’s scanners are not a highly demanded commodity by doctors at the time. As a result, Gardner finds himself living by every dollar, raising his son and trying to save a difficult marriage.
Thus begins “The Pursuit of Happyness,” the latest film featuring Will Smith as the struggling, yet motivated Chris Gardner. Without a college degree, Gardner struggles with the high cost of living and the expensive costs of selling his bone density scanners.
His wife Linda, played by Thandie Newton, provides some income for the family, but barely has time to watch after her son, Christopher, played by Jaden Smith. With bills going unpaid and times getting more stressful for everyone, Gardner finds the motivation to reach out for a better life and true happiness.
Through a chance encounter, he meets a wealthy stock broker and soon embarks on a journey for an internship at the competitive brokerage firm Dean Witter.
Through thick and thin, Gardner manages to be accepted in the firm’s unpaid internship. However, his troubles soon multiply as he becomes homeless, trying to sell more scanners while fathering his confused, yet understanding son.
Out of sheer drive for happiness and a better life for his family, he is successful. Playing himself off as one the top leaders in the sales business, he is able to network with wealthy friends of friends and get the skills he needs to succeed in the finance industry.
Based on true events, the story may seem grim, but it is very close to the reality that many live with each day in America.
Smith’s usual comedic attitude and friendly smile are not seen very often in “The Pursuit of Happyness.”
Yet, the lack of both proves his flexibility as an actor and ability to remain successful in extremely serious roles. The chemistry between Smith and his real-life son, Jaden, on screen is a force to be reckoned with.
The despair that the family encounters and the drive to continue searching for something better gives audiences something to learn from.
Director Gabriele Muccino does an excellent job at creating the climax that leads to a very rewarding ending to the film.
Each scene of the film is integrated with the next as Chris’s life unfolds either out of sheer luck or true destiny.
Overall, some may consider “The Pursuit of Happyness” a tale of darkness in order to show the true meaning of the light. While the film may bring tears for some, it can also raise spirits and the true faith in one’s self.
Others feel that the film is an important lesson about the motivation and drive that allows every individual to survive and find true happiness.
