Film Review :“The Pursuit of Happyness”

#MAR #MAKAUT #Film Review #Category 24.d

Introduction:

‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ is an American biographical drama film. Released on November 2006, the film has been adopted from the bestselling book of the same name written by the protagonist himself, Chris Gardner. It is directed by Gabriele Muccino and starts Will Smith as the main character Chris Gardner and Jaden Smith (the original son of Will Smith) as his son Christopher Gardner. The film depicts the true story of a struggling salesman who takes custody of his son as he begins a life-changing professional career.

Summary:

The movie portrays the backdrop of early 1980s San Francisco where an earnest and hardworking bone-density scanner salesman struggles to make an existence with the limited opportunities he has in life. A wrong investment of the family savings in portable bone density scanners, which play a vital role in Gardner’s life, financially breaks the family leading to a troubled relationship with his wife Linda, who leaves him and moves to New York, even abandoning their 5-year old son Christopher at the custody of his father alone. Left back with nothing but immense financial and mental pressure, an internship offer at Dean Witter as a stockbroker came to Chris unexpectedly. However during his 6 month training period, he had to face a lot of hardships including rendering to homelessness and living in the streets with his little son due to inability to pay his rent.

Despite facing life’s cruel challenges, Chris went to great lengths to succeed and finally the day he got hired as a financial broker, Chris broke into tears out of the realization that his efforts have paid off.

Analysis:

The film demonstrates the battles Gardner faces while attempting to make a good life for himself and his child. Gardner’s commitment to his son and to break the cycle of men who abandon their children is remarkable. Despite the punches thrown by reality, he rose above it with a smile on his face whose sole source is his son from whom he gets the motivation to keep fighting. Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith’s extraordinary acting brings out the true message of the movie. The incredible bond between Chris and his son has been portrayed by the off-screen father and son in a way that is commendable. The technological and creativity expertise of director Gabriele Muccino and his ability to highlight even the small details in the movie plays a big part in it’s success. The final scene shows Chris walking with his son down the street when they come across a wealthy businessman in a suit who is none other than the real Chris Gardner.

Conclusion:

The movie touched me because of many reasons one of which is Gardener’s determination and never-give-up nature which highlights the fact that setbacks are a way of life. This in turn gives us the courage to disregard the doubts people have in us and the self-doubts within ourselves. In my opinion, this movie can be a great inspiration to those who lack self-confidence and feel to have lost life’s battle. It is a great example of how we can pursue happiness in life by the choices we make each day.

Thus, I would like to conclude my review by quoting,

“ Pursuing happiness is a choice. We are each on our own for pursuit for happiness. “