The Pursuit of Happyness: A Successful Family Act
Will Smith, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, Thandie Newton

Review by Breanne Boland December 28, 2006 Issue

The Pursuit of Happyness is probably the first film with a happy ending epilogue that includes the phrase “minority stake.” Fortunately, through the rest of the film, the only financial issues are to do with things like rent, and Will Smith’s character’s struggle remains entirely human.

Chris Gardner, perennially unlucky father and idealist, is struggling to sell x-ray machines to unreceptive doctors, barely making ends meet when they meet at all. He learns that Dean Witter is accepting applications for a stock brokerage internship, and despite his lack of a college degree, Gardner applies and manages to schmooze his way into an internship. Unfortunately, the internship is unpaid, sending Gardner and his five-year-old son into a tumult of motels, shelters, and other unsafe, unstable situations. His only hope is the dim possibility of a job, and there’s only one opening for all 20 interns, the other 19 of which have better educations and easier lives.

A story that could easily be just an inspirational speech is transformed into an acting platform for Smith, whose grey-streaked hair and constant struggles quickly erase old impressions of Smith as the alien-punching, wisecracking, rapping action hero. Here, Smith takes a character and a story fortified with lessons about perseverance, self-confidence, and optimism and keeps him very relatable throughout this tale of ambition and fatherly devotion. Although we're assured of a triumphant end, the film is no less brutal for the light at the end of the tunnel.

While the story does, of course, end well, it’s not exactly a Cinderella story. Gardner’s victory is hard won, as is the happy ending. After two hours of struggling along with Gardner as his little family’s situation deteriorates, we get the briefest of reassurances. Good film should be its own reward, yes, but after the cinematic equivalent of trying to pay bills when you know you owe more than you own, the audience deserves a bigger treat than what it’s given.

However, the film’s rewards are not insubstantial. Smith is doing well in his quest to become a serious actor. While based on a true story, this role is less mannered and less imitative than his role in Ali. Instead, it seems tailored for Smith himself, making use of his abundant charisma as much as his acting skills. Smith’s own child, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, plays the part of Gardner’s son. Usually, the prominent presence of a kid, especially in a drama, is motive enough for eye rolling, but the casting of the star’s inexperienced child seems like fatal nepotism. Fortunately, the younger Smith acquits himself well and is an excellent foil for his dad — believably whiny but leavened just enough with cuteness and humor, expressing all the frustration and anger his dad can’t.

This probably won’t be the film to bring the accolades Smith seems to be heading toward, but it’s a good sign that he picked a script that was both well-written and well-suited to his unique talents. It’s entertaining, inspiring, and affecting — and he didn’t even have to say, “Aw, hell no!” once.

Bottom line: one more step in Smith’s pursuit of a serious career

Coming Attractions

Opening the Week of Dec. 29
Black Christmas - In a cunning and subtle bit of counter programming, this horror flick about sorority sisters stalked by a killer (no, seriously) opened on Christmas Day. People, people: make like the Jews and go eat Chinese if you don’t feel like staying inside all day.

Dreamgirls - Much as I love musicals, BeyoncÈ Knowles’s dead-eyed stare was enough to make me consider skipping this one. However, I can’t resist the promise of great performances from as unlikely sources as an American Idol contestant and Eddie Murphy.

The Good German - George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh individually are ample bait to get my ass in a movie seat, but as a team, their films are reliably great. This one might be too mannered and stylized to be as fun as their other films, though.

Children of Men - A smart, creepy sci-fi concept, Clive Owen, and Alfonso CuarÛn (Y Tu Mam· TambiÈn) in one film. It’s like they’re trying to get me to leap out of my seat and lick the screen halfway through.

Opening Jan. 5
Freedom Writers - Hilary Swank and Imelda Staunton star in this film about a teacher who saves lower class students from unfortunate futures. Sounds inspirational and award attracting, and yet it’s being released after Oscar season. Doesn’t bode well.

Happy N’Ever After - As the cringe-inducing title suggests, this would be another animated adventure that tweaks traditional fairy tales. Sigourney Weaver and Sarah Michelle Gellar are among the paycheck collectors in the cast.

Home of the Brave - 50 Cent, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jessica Biel walk onto a film set… it sounds like the setup of a joke, but this is the principle cast of this film about survivors of a devastating ambush of American troops in Iraq.

Opening Jan 12
Miss Potter - Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger star in this tale of Beatrix Potter’s rise to fame, despite the restrictions of her family and the sexism of the time. Directed by Chris Noonan, whose last film was Babe.

Alpha Dog - A fictionalized recreation of a true crime. The dramatization has led to some controversy as the crime was so recent — the perpetrator was caught after shooting began. With Emile Hirsch and Justin Timberlake.

Arthur and the Invisibles - A young boy hunts for fabled treasure hidden by a race of tiny people, hoping to save his grandfather’s house with the spoils. Directed by Luc Besson, based on his series of children’s books.

Opening Jan. 19
The Hitcher - My apathy toward most horror films (barring those with zombies, at least) is pretty evident based on the films I review. However, Sean Bean as a homicidal hitchhiker sounds like a pretty awesome Friday night.

Fast Track - A romantic comedy starring Amanda Peet and Zach Braff. After Peet falls pregnant and quits her job, Braff must go to work for his father-in-law, Charles Grodin. I hope this isn’t a return to Peet’s shrill banshee women of the past — she’s so much better when she’s not playing a caricature.

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