I hate alternative spelling. The spelling in the title was enough for me to know I had no desire to see The Pursuit of Happyness. However, since Will Smith received an Oscar Nomination for his performance, I caved in to my better judgment. Let’s just say that, as a filmmaker, I have already vowed to quit the business if he wins. Fortunately, I seriously doubt he will.
The Pursuit of Happynessis based on the true story of Chris Gardner and his quest to become a stock broker to help provide a better life for his son and avoid shuffling from shelter to shelter, but you can guess all of that from the trailer. Many times films inspired by true stories come across as being phonier than pure fiction, but sometimes it works. Usually it shows someone overcoming adversity to find some payoff in the end.
There is no payoff in The Pursuit of Happyness. Well, there are two sentences typed out at the end telling the audience Chris Gardner went on to start his own firm and sold his minority share in a multi-million dollar deal, but it doesn’t actually show any pay out for his hard work. The Pursuit of Happyness starts in a very dark and poor place. Unfortunately, it stays there for two hours. Chris and his family started off in a bad spot and go on to find an even worse place in life.
The biggest problem with The Pursuit of Happyness is it takes far too long for there to be a glimmer of hope, let alone the chance of any follow through. Going into the film you know he is going to get the job. They simply don’t make movies based on the lives of people who don’t make it, but to have the happy ending come through as text at the end of an emotional diatribe is just as disappointing. Heck, I would have had a hint of ‘happyness’ had he given his son a brand new Captain America in the end - you know as some symbol their life was on the up and up. The end sucked out any life the movie could have potentially had.
Article comments
1 - movie watcher
I don't know who Cara de Pescado, but as a "filmmaker" I think he or she needs to find better things to do than criticize. The movie is called the "PURSUIT" of happyness, not happyness...the director showed us the pursuit not the actual outcome. You ppl find problems with everything. Will Smith did a great job.
2 - Cara
If you enjoyed the movie, perhaps you should register on Blogcritics and write a review saying why. I didn't like it. While I don't think Will Smith was horrible, I don't think it is an Oscar winning performance. I actually *like* him as the man in black. He's sexy in the suit and glasses. I just didn't care about his performance either way in Pursuit of Crappyness. His son (who is his real life son) was adorable though.
3 - ProfEssays
I haven't watched the movie. But I feel it's boring.
4 - Vinod
I enjoyed the movie on each moment as real life replica.