Product ReviewsThe Pursuit of Happyness (DVD, 2006)

The Pursuit Of A Great Film!

A great film that demonstrates how good, hard-working people can become homeless almost overnight, Pursuit of Happyness is a showcase for Will Smith, who convincingly portrays a down-and-out dad trying to better his family's life. Smith, who usually is cast in effortlessly boyish roles (Men in Black, Independence Day), is wonderful in the film in the scenes that shamelessly tug at viewers' heartstrings. Based on the true-life story of Chris Gardner, a San Francisco salesman forced at times to shelter his young son (played by Smith's adorable look-alike offspring Jaden Smith) in a men's room, there is little suspense to the film in terms of Chris' outcome. (His story and eventual success a successful and wealthy Chicago businessman was well publicized on the newsmagazine show 20/20.) The beauty of this film is in the way the story is told. Though he is constantly rushing around to get to appointments and pick up his child, things do not happen quickly for Chris. When he accepts an internship with a prestigious stock brokerage firm, there's a catch: The position is unpaid, suitable more for trust-fund children than single parents with no other source of income. In many scenes, the viewer panics along with Chris, wondering how he's going to feed his child. While Smith and his son, Jaden, share many tender moments together, Thandie Newton has the thankless role of playing Chris' shrill wife, who deserts her family early in the film. This movie is heart touching, you will enjoy it with your family and friends.Read full review...

Victorious/Inspirational!

I like this movie because it is family oriented, admirable, clean, inspirational and worthy of imitating by all, especially the man (or woman - family head) who is down-on-his-luck and has no money, job or anything tangible that can be depended upon to pay for a place to stay or buy food to take care of themselves and their family, especially their children. I love Will Smith's character and that of his son's.

Will Smith had faith, determination,intelligence and ingenuity to not give up in the face of impossible odds; and even though his wife did not love nor believe in him and he had to leave home and had no job nor money except for a few portable machines to sell that he had to carry around everywhere, (many times he almost lost some of the machines to accident and theft), and even without any transportation and he had to care for his son, he did not give in to sadness, despair nor hopelessness. One situation that came up he used - he met a wealthy business owner while out in the street and talked to him; his ideas gave him an opportunity to work for the business owner. The business owner did not know he was homeless - Will Smith came to work on time, neat and alert and he even ran tight errands for the company, all the while taking care of his son. Will Smith never gave up and kept his son fed, warm and in good spirits even while they were homeless. He later was recognized for his determination and care for the company and his son - this despite all the odds he faced!

Will Smith's son's performance was superb! He displayed all of the feelings a young son who loved his father would have, but with courage! He supported and obeyed his father and was patient - traits we should all have - all this despite not knowing where your next meal will come from and being homeless.

This movie was superb! - victorious! courageous! splendid! wonderful! inspirational! We need more like it.Read full review...

The Pursuit of Happyness

This is definitely one of the best movies that I've seen in a long time. It's based on a true story.

Will Smith plays a lone parent, Chris Gardner, who is down on his luck. His marriage is finally torn apart when his wife can no longer take the constant struggle of their life. He is then left to take care of his 5 year old son Christopher (who is played by Will Smith's real life son). He struggles with paying for rent, child care, groceries, parking tickets because of a bad business investment he made years before. Chris then gets accepted into a highly competitive internship program at a brokerage firm. The only problem is that internship doesn't pay. Only 1 out of the 20 people gets the job at the end of it. During this he soon finds he and his son homeless. They are forced to go from place to place every night to try to find someplace to rest, anywhere from shelters to transportation stations. It's an amazing story of a father and son that tests the strength of their love. It has a wonderful theme: pursue your dreams no matter what, work hard and you will achieve your goals.

A must see, you will not be disappointed.Read full review...

Will Smith in a Serious Role

I gotta say - I had some doubts about Will Smith taking on a serious role. Afer all, picture the Man In Black as dad down and out on his luck, living on the street, and in homeless missions while trying to go through an unpaid internship with a major brokerage firm.
The show had a lot of tough moments - living in the missions, fighting through the lines to get in. And, it had a few really great lines.
We watched it with the kids, and my ten year old really got into it. My wife even cried at a few points. So I guess Will Smith pulled off that serious role just fine.
I say The Pursuit of Happiness is a definite thumbs up.Read full review...

A Lovely Movie for The Entire Family

The plot consists of a man who believed the product he was selling was one of easy acceptance and then invested all family's saving account money expecting a good return on the investment, but nothing happened as expected. With no money in hand, his family started to fall apart with his wife departure. Then came all the expected financial struggles: little money to eat and house eviction.

Although these issues, and with the precious companion of his lovely kid, this man never lost hope and kept fighting for a better life. He knew he could live better days for being an intelligent person since school and so we could use this as an advantage for himself. The only thing that it was missing was the opportunity of being at the right place, by the right time and with the right person.

This is truly a family movie. The kind of we should keep it in the DVD shelf and watch it every time it feels like nothing is going in the right direction. In case we don't remember, life is made up of everyday struggles.Read full review...

It'll Give You a Lift!

Inspiring story about rebounding from homelessness in San Francisco. Will Smith is excellent in the lead role along with his supporting characters. Having been homeless myself, I can say that the scenes of shelters and meals and overwhelmed staffers are very accurate. And Smith does a great job of showing us and those in the story his passion for rising above it.

A delightful scene is where his boy wants to return to their imaginary "cave" a transit restroom where they had to overnight when things got really desperate. Just like a regular kid - happy to make the best of a lousy situation.

The brokerage scenes from the early 80s seem true, as well. A friend was a broker in those years and told me the inside stories. One last thing. The scene where Smith is casually accepted by a group of new business friends going to a Niners game is very San Francisco. it made me feel good about watching this fine film! Recommended.Read full review...

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The Pursuit of Happyness (2007, DVD)

What can i say will smith got to give him another 5 stars on this movie.Now normally you see will smith in a action thriller movie but not this movie.I would say this is one of my favorites by will smith.Will Smith stars in the inspirational true story of Chris Gardner, a San Francisco salesman who's struggling to make ends meet. When his girlfriend Linda (Thandie Newton) walks out, Chris is left to raise their 5-year-old son Christopher (Jaden Smith) on his own. Chris' determination finally pays off when he lands an unpaid internship in a brutally competitive stockbroker-training program, where only one in twenty interns will make the cut. But without a salary, Chris and his son are evicted from their apartment and are forced to sleep on the street, in homeless shelters and even behind the locked doors of a metro station bathroom. With self- confidence and the love and trust of his son, Chris Gardner rises above his obstacles to become a Wall Street legend.Read full review...

Pursuit of Happiness (lifetime list of fave films)

A short list of films that - if I were "stranded on a desert island with a DVD player" - this one would be with me. Many reviewers have outlined the plot...based on a true story, so I won't belabor that.

BUT --- If you think you are a "victim" of circumstances, see this film today! If you believe that you have been cursed with "bad luck", get this film and view it undistracted.

If you feel that other people - or other racial groups - are to blame for your "problems", get real and get a copy of this film! If you want to drop out and give up, rent this movie now! If you think the American Dream is dead, think again - and see this film.

If you hope that somehow, a fairy princess will come along and grant you a life ease and security...or maybe you'll win the mega million lottery...pour yourself a cup of strong coffee and grab this movie.

"The Pursuit of Happiness" should be required viewing in all public schools, community colleges and adult education courses. It will change your attitude - or your life; are you ready ??Read full review...

Will Smith does it again!!

The Pursuit of Happyness is inspired by a true story. This is a very touching film. This movie is a PG-13 drama that is terrific.

The movie is about a man named Chris Garner who struggles to bring in income. Therefore he finds himself on some hard times. Fortunately for him, his son (Played by Will Smith's actual son, Jaden Smith), keeps a smile on his face. You will find this film as touching as I do!!

Special Features include:
The making of the Pursuit of Happyness.
Father and Son on and off screen.
The man behind the movie- A talk with Chris Garner.

Review written by employee #002 ( My daughter Kierra age 11:)Read full review...

Empowering story.

I loved this movie. It shows a real life struggle of a parent who wants a better life. And even though life gives you different trials and tribulations you have to make the best with what you are given and try to acheive the impossible. I felt I had to buy this movie because I myself have gone through similar situations and whenever I am feeling down about my life I pop this movie in and it makes me realize that I have come such a long way and that good things are going to happen if I just keep on trying to do the best I can everyday. Will Smith is such a powerful actor with a great talent to express the human spirit. This movie is empowering to me and that is what makes it such a good movie to me and what makes me cry everytime I watch this movie.Read full review...