The Pursuit of Happyness (DVD, 2007, Widescreen)

This is definitely one of the best movies that I've seen in a long time. It's based on a true story.

Will Smith plays a lone parent, Chris Gardner, who is down on his luck. His marriage is finally torn apart when his wife can no longer take the constant struggle of their life. He is then left to take care of his 5 year old son Christopher (who is played by Will Smith's real life son). He struggles with paying for rent, child care, groceries, parking tickets because of a bad business investment he made years before. Chris then gets accepted into a highly competitive internship program at a brokerage firm. The only problem is that internship doesn't pay. Only 1 out of the 20 people gets the job at the end of it. During this he soon finds he and his son homeless. They are forced to go from place to place every night to try to find someplace to rest, anywhere from shelters to transportation stations. It's an amazing story of a father and son that tests the strength of their love. It has a wonderful theme: pursue your dreams no matter what, work hard and you will achieve your goals.

A must see, you will not be disappointed.

Smith is a gifted actor, and this film really showcases his emotional range. His natural rapport with his son is in no way one-sided; Jaden Smith is believable and very charming. Certainly, the audience can feel secure that Chris Gardner, the main character, will succeed in some fashion or else a film would never have been based on his autobiography, but the simple, sentimental score, well-written screenplay, subtle direction and, above all, Will Smith's acting make us strive with Gardner, cry with him, and hurt with him.

Gardner's tale is like "Die Hard" for the masses; he has to endure being arrested, being evicted, fighting for a bed at the homeless shelter, trying to keep appointments and to study while holding down two full-time jobs with no car, sprinting all over San Francisco, attempting to keep himself and his son clean--it just does not stop. Watch Smith's face during the film--he shows us a man who only just manages to fend off despair. He bleeds and weeps because of the injustice in the world, with disappointment at how his potential has been wasted, with the weight of all his past failures, and with worry for his son. But he clings to the path he has chosen in the belief that it will lead him from this torment. One can actually see the dead look in Smith's eyes, the punch-drunk expression of one who is suffering, who is juggling so many burdens that his mind spills over with the effort, for whom a seemingly minor setback is a Big Deal. Smith gets it, and he makes us get it, too.

Incidentally, he could probably have been a stuntman or a professional athlete. He has had running scenes in many of his films to date, and in this movie he looks ready to set a new record for the 400 meters. Smith is a little too fit and energetic for a homeless guy who hardly sleeps and eats in a soup kitchen for much of the movie, but his running and carrying feats illustrate Gardner's bulldog tenacity, and how his own physical power and endurance aided him in achieving his ends. All I have to say is this movie is one of the best this year. I couldn't believe how good Will Smith did in this film. I also couldn't imagine a bone density scanner salesman lived a part of his life this way. Sleeping in a bathroom at a Subway station! On top of toilet paper! It made me feel good that I sleep in a bed at night! I do hope with an inspiring story like this, that he claims any upcoming awards.

I love the whole concept of the story and its' truthfulness - never give up despite odds - to keep focus on putting first and caring for your child as number one priority in your life. I love the emphasis on keeping hope and belief alive, and turning away from anger and negativity when faced with those things. I loved the performance of all, especially of Will Smith and his son. It is obvious that the son was chosen to play the part not for his true relationship with his real father, but because he was the best actor for the part; this after looking at other "son" actors who did not measure up to the role. Together Will Smith and his son played exactly as the person whom the movie was based on wanted them to. It was wonderful to see that one help direct the movie and make sure that all was portrayed as it really happened. The movie taught us to be courageous, strong, hopeful, confident, and to feel (cry, laugh, etc.) but to stay focused and not give up your dream/s; to work to make them a reality, and to never feel inadequate to have them. The movie was indeed appropriately titled, as it was one man's PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS for himself and his son. What a good role model for other single fathers or single mothers, lone grandmothers or grandfathers, single aunts, uncles or brothers and/or lone sisters who have to raise other/s successfully despite the odds working against them (with little or no money/and or job, etc.) Study, reading, education, determination, and hard work is a must to realize your dream/s!!!

Based on the true story of a man (Chris Gardner)...a single parent (along with his young son by his side) who fought his way up from the bottom of the barrel to become a millionaire...this movie is so incredibly moving, touching & uplifting! About 1/2 way thru the movie the father (Will Smith) has endured so many heartbreaks, challenges & obstacles that I found myself not only emotionally drained but shedding real heartfelt tears for this man whose life this movie portrays--a testament not only to the fine storyline but to the awesome dramatic acting talents of Will Smith. You can watch this movie & many times go "my life isn't as bad as I thought" and you will feel that anything is truly possible if you persevere & want it enough. Will Smith's son in the movie is played by his real life son, Jaden Smith--no other young actor could've played the part better, Jaden will no doubt one day win his own Academy Award. A must see movie that will definitely touch your heart & win your praise!! A++++++++

The fact that this movie is based on a true story is unreal. What this man did to save himself and his son, I think others would have given up and lived in poverty for the remainder of their lives. Barely scraping by and being thrown out of one place after another because he didn't have the money to pay the rent, my heart broke. Also, taking an internship for I forget how months without pay, was a step I don't think very many people would have done. While all the time having to make sure his son is fed and cared for. If you really watch this movie, you'll realize that this man goes without eathing several times just so he can feed his son. I honeslty think a lot of men may have given up and put their child into foster care until their life was straightened out. But his man knew he could do it and from sleeping in a restroom (the cave) to sleeping on a bus, he was determined to win at life. Look at where he is now. My emotions were all over the place at times with this movie, it's one of the best I have ever seen. This is a man who would never give up and stuck it out knowing that if he wasn't chosen, he had nothing left but he and his son. Now he's a multi-millionaire. It's a great one to watch and realize that people may have it bad, but it's what you decide to do from there that really counts. He won, he made it and I've never met the man but he is obviously an amazing person. I just wondered at the end, when he got the position and then ultimately opened his own brokerage firm, did he ever remarry? Have more kids? He is a person that I would love to have the time and opportunity to talk to, he seems so interesting. He was at the bottom and rose to the top with his own confidence and willingness to try.