Chris Gardner is a bright and talented, but marginally employed salesman. Struggling to make ends meet, Gardner finds himself and his five-year-old son evicted from their San Francisco apartment with nowhere to go. When Gardner lands an internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm, he and his son endure many hardships, including living in shelters, in pursuit of his dream of a better life for the two of them.
Directed by
Gabriele Muccino
Written by
Steve Conrad
Starring
Will Smith (Chris Gardner); Jaden Smith (Christopher (as Jaden Christopher Syre Smith)); Thandie Newton (Linda); Brian Howe (Jay Twistle); James Karen (Martin Frohm); Dan Castellaneta (Alan Frakesh); Kurt Fuller (Walter Ribbon); Takayo Fischer (Mrs. Chu); Kevin West (World's Greatest Dad); George Cheung (Chinese Maintenance Worker (as George K. Cheung)); David Michael Silverman (Doctor at First Hospital); Domenic Bove (Tim Ribbon); Geoff Callan (Ferrari Owner); Joyful Raven (Hippie Girl); Scott Klace (Tim Brophy). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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The Pursuit of a Derivation of Happiness
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Limited Recommendation
The word 'happiness' being mis-spelt in the title to this film is quite apt, because the story that unfolds is indeed a search for happiness, but a happiness that turns out to be a false form of happiness - namely that of monetary and career success. My thoughts on this film are best summed up by referring it to Cinderella Man; a film I watched about a week after viewing this film. At the end of Cinderella Man we are given a summary of the things Jim Braddock went on to do with his life after his success in the ring, and these included building a good family life. Contrast to this, at the end of The Pursuit of Happyness we are given a similar summary for the things Chris Gardner went on to do with his life after securing his new career, but these were focussed around the monetary value of the business he had built up. And for me the overall message in this film just wasn't clear enough as to what, or rather who, really does bring us true happiness and peace in this life. This I think should be carefully considered, especially in a film so focussed around money. Jesus told us "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matt 19:23-24). Against this I do think the means, if not the ends, should be admired i.e. the sacrifices Chris Gardner was prepared to make (including living in poverty) and the hard the work he put in to achieve his goal.
