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Movie Review - The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
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(What this rating means)
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| Director: |
Gabriele Muccino |
| Starring: |
Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Will Smith's son |
| Rated: |
PG-13 (for some language) |
| Length: |
117 minutes |
| Genre: |
Dramedy |
| Tagline: |
None. |
| Studio: |
Sony Pictures |
| Website: |
Pursuit of Happyness |
| Release: |
December 15, 2006 |
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PLOT
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Life's a struggle for Chris Gardner (Will Smith). All that prosperity that was to come through selling bone
density scanners? Well, the doctors view it as an expensive luxury rather than a necessity, and that doesn't
exactly put food on the table or rent in the landlord's hand.
When Chris' wife (Newton) decides she's had all she can stands and she can't stands no more, she heads to
New York and leaves Chris alone to care for their son (Will Smith's son), making his desire to take a risk
at a new career just a little harder to reach. Happiness and the pursuit of it ensue.
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JOHNNY'S TAKE
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The Pursuit of Happyness is the type of movie that I have to force myself to review. I also had to
force myself to go to the screening. I saw the trailer, and it looked decent and all, but I can only take
so many movies where a character spends 115 minutes being depressed and struggling to overcome the odds
just to give us two minutes of inspiration and hope. You know? Plus, I knew it'd be as predictable
as the Memphis Grizzlies' chance of winning the NBA Championship this year, so I just couldn't get
excited about it.
Having said all that, let me make this clear - the movie is well-told, well-acted, and well-made. Will
Smith does a very good job, particularly in showing genuine emotion in the climactic scene, and it's a good,
inspirational story, but it's just not something I can tell you to definitely rush out and see.
For one thing, it's just not very fun to watch. There are moments of humor and hope, but a large portion
of the film focuses on Smith's life spiraling towards rock bottom and what he has to do to survive once he
gets there. I felt for the guy, and I was rooting for him, but man, I sure didn't enjoy feeling his pain
the entire runtime.
But hey, that's me. I was in an upbeat mood the day I saw it, and sometimes I hate to be pulled out of that.
I know you'll be shocked to hear this, but I'm not chipper 100% of the time. Therefore, when I achieve a
state of bliss I like to hang on as firmly as I can.
If nothing else, it will definitely make you appreciate shelter and whatever happiness you currently possess.
And if you should find your life devoid of the valuable commodity known has happiness then perhaps this story
of one man's plight will encourage you to pursue it. If it doesn't force you to slit your wrists
first.
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ODDS & ENDS
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- This is based on the real-life story of Chris Gardner. He went on to become rich. And
stuff. I bet his wife's kicking herself now.
- At the end of the movie I made a little sniffle and the woman next to me asked, "Are you crying?"
Man, can't guys sniffle in movies without their manhood being called into question???
- Is anyone else annoyed at the misspelling of "happiness" in the title? How about renaming it The
Pursuit of Education? I know, I know, there's an explanation within the movie for the spelling, but
still. It annoys me. Like Chris Kattan.
- Who knew the direction of a man's life could change due to something as simple as the turn of a Rubik's
Cube?
- Speedcubing champions Tyson Mao and Toby Mao were hired to teach Will Smith how to solve a Rubik's
Cube.
- Johnny used the Internet to teach himself how to solve a Rubik's Cube. Johnny assumes he's just
more cost-conscience than Hollywood. And probably a little more individualistic.
- The movie was nominated for two Golden Globes - best song and Will Smith for best lead actor in a
drama.
- Will Smith was in Men in Black with Tommy Lee Jones who is in the upcoming No Country for Old Men
with Josh Brolin who was in Hollow Man with Kevin Bacon.
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MAMA'S APPROVAL
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Profanity is kept to a minimum, but there are a few instances of the "s" nuke, and Will Smith's son drops an "f"
bomb in the form of asking if it's spelled correctly in the graffiti on a wall. We see the word written on the
wall. This one will only require the slightest of edits when it's being prepared for a marathon showing on TBS.
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TRAILER COMPARISON
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What you see is basically what you get.
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THE GIST
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The Pursuit of Happyness is an inspirational, yet depressing, story of one man doing everything he
could to overcome the odds. This is worth watching for Will Smith's performance, but if you can't get in
the mood to drive to the theater to see it then it'll certainly make a solid rental.
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