The Pusuit of Happyness - movie review

Will Smith continues his path towards being the best black actor of his generation. Smith's son establishes himself as a natural. Thandie Newton reaffirms her ability to lift limited material to an incredible level. And the Pursuit of Happyness shows how just how crappy it can be to chase the American dream ... until you achieve it.



Based on the "true" story of Chris Gardner, Happyness starts with his struggle as a door-to-door salesman trying to work off a contract on a new-fangled bone density x-ray. His once-passionate marriage has crumbled under the strain of limited finances and the demands of raising his child. After a decision to enter a wage-free internship program Gardner loses both his wife and his apartment. And yet, with his child in tow he continues on in order to "make something of himself".

I understand the film's earnestness to show how perseverence and love can conguer many obstacles. As well, the film seems to revel in its interest to promote the do-it-yourself/up-by-the-bootstraps legacy of most American success stories. And while the film is obviously trying to be inspirational it doesn't quite get there. The first challenge is moving beyond the harshness of homelessness that figures prominently. In fact, much of the movie feels more like a comment on the state of homeless people and posits the idea that if they were only more committed to the dream they could succeed. Anyone who knows anything about the discrepencies in society resource allocation will find this theme of the film frustrating.

The second challenge is Gardner's incredible success. He achieves an unbelievable position through immense odds but the film never shows how he manages in the internship itself. The audience is never illuminated on the driving forces to keep him in THAT program. It hints at Gardner's affinity for numbers but never illustrates how this factored into his decision to just get a "regular" job. As such, the concept of supporting his son becomes intertwined with a motivation for money (lots of finance industry money!) that could only be respected in a capitalist world.

Add to these challenges a sledgehammer on the heartstrings and really slow pacing and the film falters further. And so, although the actors involved are bringing their full commitment to the table the film never rises above Hallmark-gilded propoganda.