The Pursuit of Happyness (Widescreen Edition) | 
| Director: Gabriele Muccino
Actors: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen
Studio: Sony Pictures
List Price: $19.94
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Rating:  286 reviews
Sales Rank: 1700
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 99
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 117 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 15085
UPC: 043396150850
EAN: 0043396150850
ASIN: B000N6U0E2
Theatrical Release Date: December 15, 2006
Release Date: March 27, 2007
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
A heartwarming film that demonstrates how good, hard-working people can become homeless almost overnight, Pursuit of Happyness is a tour-de-force 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--even 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.) And let's face it, Hollywood's not too keen on making feel-good movies with unhappy endings. The beauty (and suspense, to a certain extent) 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. It's not a particularly challenging part for the talented actress, and her departure doesn't impact the storyline much at all. As for the movie's misspelled title, it's inspired from a scene in the film. (Seeing a mural drawn by the children at a daycare center, Chris points out to the proprietor that "happiness" is spelled incorrectly. She notes that it doesn't matter how the word is written--just that the kids have it.) With Pursuit of Happyness, Smith has come out of his safety zone and, in turn, ends up playing his most heroic role to date. --Jae-Ha Kim
Extras from The Pursuit of Happyness 
Behind the scenes footage of
The Pursuit of Happyness
high bandwidth | 
Chris Gardner:
"On Being Studied By Will Smith"
high bandwidth | 
Will Smith And Jaden Smith: "On Will Always Being In Character"
high bandwidth
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Beyond The Pursuit of Happyness on Amazon.com 
More Films Starring Will Smith | 
More Films About Fathers & Sons | 
The Book |
Stills from The Pursuit of Happyness (click for larger image)
Product Description
A real-life tale of survival over life's toughest challenges. After a chain of circumstances left Gardner jobless and homeless at age 30 he found himself and his baby son living in a bathroom at a San Francisco train station. Despite the negative situation Gardner continued to fight toward his goal of becoming a broker eventually landing a job as a trainee and rising through the ranks at such companies as Dean Witter and Bear Stearns to his current standing -- partner and owner of the Chicago-based minority brokerage firm Gardner Rich & Co. and self-made millionaire.Features:Documentaries (Making-of documentary)Featurette (Father and Son: On Screen and Off)Interview(s) (The Man Behind the Movie: A Conversation with Chris Gardner)Audio commentary (with director Gabriel Muccino)System Requirements:Runtime: 117 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: PG - 13 UPC: 043396150850 Manufacturer No: 15085
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| Customer Reviews: Read 281 more reviews...
 The Love of a Father January 22, 2007
NYMovieGirl (NY)
59 out of 61 found this review helpful
This is the true story about the most difficult years in the life of Chris Gardner, a man that struggles to overcome incredible odds and huge difficulties to survive and keep his son.
Will Smith plays Gardner (and very well), his real life son plays his on screen son, and Thandie Newton plays his frustrated and no longer able to stand by him through the hard times wife.
There are two main themes in this movie that make it a truly spectacular movie. The first is the meaning of happiness. Pleasure is derived from enjoyable sensations using one or more of the five senses, and does not make a person happy. Happiness is the result of struggle, enduring. Child birth is not pleasurable, but it results in happiness. Winning a long marathon is not pleasurable, but it results in happiness. And in this movie, struggling and enduring hardships to keep his family of two together and survive is not pleasurable, but the result is great happiness.
The second great theme of this movie is the love that Gardner shows for his son, whom he faces starvation and homelessness for. He will do anything not to lose him son and to provide for him and support him. It shows the lengths a man will go to to provide for his children, and it is a heartwarming and beautiful thing to see.
This is one of the best movies I've seen in a long time, and definately the best movie I've seen this year. I greatly recommend it.
 Running Toward Happiness: The American Dream Revisited March 29, 2007
Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States)
40 out of 46 found this review helpful
PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS is a film that despite all its flaws (repetition of chases, repeated encounters that mirror the last, emotional overload, excessive playing time of two hours, etc) reinforces some truly important human values: love between a father and son, pushing forward toward success despite all the roadblocks, kindness for the plight of the homeless, and strength of character in the face of hopelessness. Knowing that the story (by Steve Conrad) is based on fact, that Chris Gardner really existed to survive these hardships, makes the film even more impactful. Director Gabriele Muccino knows how to aim for the heart and the film is bound to touch all who view it.
Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is an African American very bright young man married to Linda (Thandie Newton) who has a difficult time working double shifts at a thankless job to support the family due to Chris' inability to sell Bone Density Evaluators that he used the family's life savings to invest in for a future that looks increasingly grim. Chris and Linda and their young son Christopher (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith) live next to the poverty line and finally Linda leaves, frustrated, angry and hurt. Chris and his son strike out on their own: the relationship between father and son as enacted by the Smiths is as touching as any on film. Bruised by the lack of success in selling his machines, Chris encounters a happy man who says his secret is working as a stockbroker with Dean Witter in downtown San Francisco. Chris applies for employment, passes an entrance exam and is taken on with the firm - only to discover he is an unpaid intern who must pass a hefty exam and perform at top speed in order to succeed.
With no income except from Chris' continued attempts to see his medical machines poverty embraces the father and son and they end up homeless and hungry. The only things keeping Chris afloat are his love and concern for his son and his intense will to survive and succeed. How this works out is known because of all the PR from the film and from the actual facts of the story.
Will Smith and his son Jaden give warmly human performances, giving the camera as much with the silence of their faces as they deliver with lines. Yes, there are many moments when the heartstrings are heavily plucked, but there is no problem defending that in a society too famished for stories of human dignity in the face of tragedy. The large supporting cast is well directed and the production values are excellent. PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS is well worth the journey. Grady Harp, March 07
 "If You Want Something Go Get It, Period" ~ Lessons In Life And Business April 16, 2007
Brian E. Erland (Brea, CA - USA)
31 out of 54 found this review helpful
The recent '06 release of the DVD `The Pursuit of Happyness" provides the vehicle of yet another great performance by Will Smith, the next Denzel Washington. However the perfect vechicle for a one man tour-de-force does not always translate into the perfect movie.
Not that this isn't a good film, it just isn't as good as Will Smith. Yes, the film is based on a true, inspirational story and Will's real life son Jaden, playing his on screen son is adorable. There are also numerous enjoyable performances by the supporting cast, specially the homeless guy (John Robb) looking for a time machine. Product values are superior throughout and the storyline possesses both depth and character. The problem is that Chris Gardner's (Will Smith) personal crisis goes on too long and by the time things are finally turning positive the film abruptly ends and the audience is denied the opportunity to sit back for a moment and relish the emotional high from his accomplishment.
A good film, definitely something you should see. Repeatability factor? Once is enough for me. My rating 3 Stars.
Not about ethnicity, about a smart man persisting to capitalize March 19, 2007
Golden Lion (North Ogden, Ut United States)
28 out of 39 found this review helpful
Chris Gardner was top of his class guy, who need a chance to prove himself. Chris graduated top of his highschool class and navy class, telling Jay Twistle that he could learn math books in a week, enjoyed high school test scores because it made him feel good, and was the type of guy that if he didn't know how to solve a problem-he would persist until the problem was solved. Chris needed a break. Jay gives him that break and allows Chris to apply for a Dean Whitter intern position. Chris master Benjamin Graham's "Security Analysis" book and is offerred a job with Dean Whitter. Chris eventually forms his own company and selling it for millions. Chris had alot going for him: 1. he was an entrepeneur visionary (selling bone density scanners) 2. he recognized opportunity and remained focused on capitalizing 3. he understood people and connected with them allowing him to win the lead contest 4. he loved his son and would not let them be separated. Many think that Chris was in a do or die situation through the early part of his life. Nonsense, Chris learned how food kitchens work, what time to arrive at sleeping shelters, and how too capitalized on opportunities. Walter Ribbon asks Chris, "Was it as easy as you made it seem?" Chris appreciates the opportunity but cries as he reflects on the sacrifice he made to rise to the top. Chris ponders Jefferson's wisdom relating to human nature and the driving forces that would compel individuals to purse endless capitalistic paths too happiness.
Doesn't matter how it's spelled February 4, 2007
Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana)
21 out of 28 found this review helpful
If you don't think this movie's great
Your heart is made of stone
The price you paid is more than earned
By Smith and son alone
A man, a plan, a family
Until there came the spanner
Into the works somebody threw
A bone density scanner
From happiness to homelessness
They couldn't make ends meet
And when the Government stepped in
They wound up on the street
He earned a chance to make it big
But had to pay the price
Six months without a salary
Called for more sacrifice
A father's love for his young son
Is what made him persist
With nothing left he sold his blood
So that they could subsist
A golden turn from Jaden's dad
And when he gets the nod
For that best actor statuette
I'll jump up and applaud
Amanda Richards, February 4, 2007
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