The Pursuit of Happyness

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 12:16am

Anyone else see this movie? Saw it tonight and I was surprised by how deeply affecting it really was. Will Smith is amazing in this. I have much more respect for him now as an actor.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 12:19am

I did!

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 12:26am

I loved the film. Yes, it was formula, but when the story is told is true, the formula is forgiven.

Will Smith has never produced better work. I wouldn't mind seeing him win an Oscar for it, frankly.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 12:28am

I saw it the other day! I thought it was a beautiful movie, and Will Smith deserves the award he was nominated before. Most in the theater were crying during the movie.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 12:29am

I haven't seen an audience that involved in a movie in a while. They broke out into spontaneous applause anytime Chris Gardner accomplished something (Such as the taxicab scene).

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 1:47am

Why is "happiness" spelled, well, "Happyness"? Is there a character named Happy?

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 1:48am

StageManager2- That made me laugh out loud

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 2:06am

SPOILER

I think it represents how Chris never got an entire education and yet he still got an amazing job.

Or maybe just because in the movie that little nursery school couldn't spell happiness right...

I don't know.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 2:06am

This makes me flash back to FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION...

"Tone down the Happy-NESS...so that everyone can enjoy it!"

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 2:22am

neddy: I'm glad I can provide momentary amusement.

Seriously, I thought this movie was about a once-homeless man in search of lifelong bliss, who's also trying to get custody of his son, aptly named Happy. Thus, I reasoned, the movie is called THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS.

Are you telling me it's not so?

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 2:27am

It's "happyness" because at the day care center he takes his son to, the word is spelled wrong on the outside of the building. He keeps pushing for them to change it, but they don't.

What happiness is is a pretty big part of the movie.

EDIT: Didn't fully read Paris' response! Updated On: 12/31/06 at 02:27 AM

[Pinguin]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 4:01am

The story is great, but it didn't thrill me too much. Pretty ordinary movie, but certainly not BAD by any means. Will Smith did a competent job, and his kid is cute as HELL.

[broadway86]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 3:23pm

I usually get sick of sappy, Oscar-bound dramas, but there was an honesty in this one that completely won me over. I really, really liked it.

What sells the movie is Will Smith's committed, moving, and FLAWLESS performance. He ditches his usual mannerisms, and it takes about a minute to forget that it's him. If Last King of Scotland was released in any other year, Smith would be my choice for the win. He is absolutely amazing, showing Gardner's passion and persistence in a way that is engaging and believable. He also has (obviously) remarkable chemistry with his son that can't be faked. Updated On: 12/31/06 at 03:23 PM

[ahmelie]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 5:10pm

My mother practically banned me from seeing it and walked out of the theatre. Seeing as you guys seem to have had different opinions, I'll give it a chance.

She also hated Lost in Translation so...

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 8:06pm

I was wondering why that was too, SM2. Thanks for clearing it up, guys.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 11:46pm

Will Smith's kid is the cutest thing ever in this movie! Him alone made it worth seeing.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 11:57pm

I thought Will and Jaden were worth the price of admission, but I wasn't thrilled with the script. The story is movie-worthy, I just didn't like the execution.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/1/07 at 12:38am

I love it. I think it's amazing. And Jaden is absolutely one of the cutest little boys ever.

[picturetaker9211]

Posted: 1/1/07 at 12:43am

I loved it so much! The story was inspiring. I cried several times during the movie. Will Smith was so good that I hope he wins an award for something. Jaden was just the cutest. I loved the knock-knock joke at the end of the movie :-}

[Madhatter]

Posted: 1/1/07 at 12:52am

To add about the title:
There was a scene (got deleted) that explained the reason why it was misspelled and the reason is; It doesn't matter how it's spelled, just as long as you have happiness.