The Pursuit of Happyness

Also known as In Pursuit of Happyness

This is definitely the saddest Will Smith film I've ever watched. It is one of the very few American films that deal with people going through hardships.

Definitely one of the most heartfelt Hollywood films I've ever watched in recent years.

It is inspired by the true story of one man's struggle to pull himself and his son out of poverty in the 80's.

Will Smith plays Chris Gardner, a bright and talented salesman who is struggling to make ends meet. Despite trying his best, luck is not on his side. His wife has to work double-shift to support the family. In the end she buckles under the great pressure and reluctantly leave Chris and their 5-year old son Christopher, just as Chris landed himself an internship with a leading stock broking firm.

From here on, life gets tougher for Chris. He had to pursue the unpaid internship while taking care of Christopher, collecting him from his poorly-run daycare, which has its name spelled wrongly - Happyness with a 'Y'.

Very soon, Chris runs out of money and was evicted from his flat. Homeless, both father and son have to put up in a public toilet on the night of eviction. Watching Chris sitting on the lavatory floor crying, with his son sleeping in his arms is the saddest part of this film. Just imagine how terrible he feels as a father who could not even provide a roof for his 5-year-old son.

Despite all these, Chris never gave up. He soon found his way into a homeless shelter where he worked very hard for his internship while honouring his committment as a loving father.

As expected Chris came out triumphant in the end.

Both Will Smith and his real son were very convincing in this film. Definitely an award-winning performance.

"If you want something in life, go get it, period!"

FAQs for this film from IMDB

Are there any differences between the movie story and the real story?

The Dean Witter internship wasn't unsalaried, but had a $1,000/mo. stipend.

The internship lasted 10 months, not 6.

Chris Jr. was 18 months old, not preschool aged, when his mother left him with his father.

They were not rejected from a women's shelter; Glide Memorial, where they stayed in the movie and in real life, was a single mothers' shelter at the time.

He did not have to work short hours; in fact he started early and stayed late.

He was a bone scanner salesman, but not self-invested; he quit the job before taking the internship.