I thought the writers were just being cute when they spelled "happyness" the way that they did, but as it turns out, this is actually explained in the movie. Will Smith's son attends a day care center in a San Franciscan Chinatown and on the outside is the word "happyness" on it. The day care center also happens to be owned by Asian people, as if to suggest Asian people can't spell English words? I have to say I was a little insulted by this.
The good news is I have very few other criticisms of the movie. Set in 1981, Will Smith plays Chris Gardner, a man who aspires to be rich and whose only income comes from selling bone density scanners (more commonly recognized as weird boxes with handles that Smith is carrying for 95 percent of the movie). The struggle to sell these scanners leaves Smith struggling to make rent. Smith's wife (Thandie Newton) eventually leaves him. Smith is left wifeless, moneyless, and soon homeless. What he does have is an adorable son played by, none other than, Smith's son, Jaden Smith.
As expected, the movie is ridiculously depressing at times. Smith is an intern for Dean Witter (the now Morgan Stanley Group). Holding an unpaid position, Smith hopes to be one of 20 chosen to be hired at the end of the program. For the duration of the program, the audience follows Smith and his son to nights in subway cars, bathrooms, and shelters. Redundant at times, this is the "pursuit". After all, this movie is not called "Happiness" (or "Happyness").
What keeps this movie from being overly sappy, predictable, and unconvincing, is the reality that it is based on a true story. It actually makes for an inspirational feel while bringing to light issues of poverty and the value of hard work. I'd say everyone should take a break from 300 and Grindhouse, and rent this one. Expect a lot of running and scenes of San Francisco's subway system.
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