The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical drama film based on entrepreneur Chris Gardner's nearly one-year struggle being homeless. Directed by Gabriele Muccino, the film features Will Smith as Gardner, a homeless salesman with Smith's son Jaden Smith co-stars, making his film debut as Gardner's son, Christopher Jr.

Plot
Based on a true story taking place in 1981, a struggling salesman named Chris Gardner takes custody of his son, Christopher Jr., as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) The movie has a big philosophical statement to make, the literal journey of happiness as Chris Gardner is shown running throughout the movie, placing emphasis on 'pursuit' so that he can survive with his family.
 * 2) Will Smith did a great job as a real-life Chris Gardner, trying to protect his son from their circumstances of becoming homeless as much as he can, while at the same time trying to work in the competitive world of stocks as an un-paid intern.
 * 3) Jaden Smith, Will Smith's son, was outstanding as the preschool-aged son who knows things are going wrong and tries to have a stiff upper lip, but just can't do it all the time.
 * 4) The real-life father and son dynamic enriched the film, dynamic and plot-wise.
 * 5) Many times "inspired by" films feel like hard sells or bids for Oscar glory. "Pursuit of Happiness" is none of that. This is an honest, meaningful film that will stick with you.
 * 6) Gabriele Muccino ("L'Ultimo Bacio") directed it with style and substance, his fine Italian hand can be detected in Andrea Guerra's score, with its Italianate wistfulness and whimsicality.
 * 7) The film offers a lot of insight towards character development and explore these themes about patience and success and especially what motivates us and keeps us going.
 * 8) The movie accurately captures the struggles of achieving success and 'happyness' while being homeless and a few bucks short.
 * 9) It does feature a real-life Chris Gardner in the end of the movie.

Bad Qualities

 * 1) This movie will be politically controversial. First of all, it doesn't touch the race issue with a ten foot pole. For example, when Chris appears to stiff a taxi driver for fare (it was really the rich white guy who failed to pay).
 * 2) The plot development can be slow.
 * 3) Chris's wife, Linda does not show up in the final act of the movie and is probably forgotten.

Trivia

 * There was a Captain America toy that Chris Gardner Jr. holds, and was lost.