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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
Synopsis
Will Smith stars in this moving tale inspired by the true story about a struggling single father who dreams of a better life for his young son. Finding themselves homeless, he risks everything by embarking on an unpaid internship in a highly competitive stockbroker training program where only one in twenty interns make the grade.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This movie is great for affirming the belief that anything is possable if you try hard enough.The casting is magical and if you like Will Smith ( who is great for this part )then wait till you see his hugely talented, even cuter son Jaden.Part of the believabilty and heart of this movie comes from the interaction between the father and son roles- echoing the charachter Chris Garners bond with his son. Garners remarkable story is heartbreaking and gripping but full of hope.
Garner struggles in almost hopeless circumstances- one parent father, uneducated, total poverty and yet still manages to realise his dream- and potential- through a huge leap of faith. At some parts in the film you will be reduced to tears and despair as things go from bed to worse to dire.Gardners seems to be losing his fight to have a better life for his son while reduced to sleeping in toilets and shelters.
This film really shows a mans struggle to better himself in gritty realism and the beautiful bond that exists between father and son .Through the storyline Garners and his son go on a journey but by the beautiful acting the viewer goes thers too. One to definately watch if you want to inspire yourself or remind yourself that the world can be a good place. I hope to see a lot more of Jaden Smith to as he steals every scene.
Garner struggles in almost hopeless circumstances- one parent father, uneducated, total poverty and yet still manages to realise his dream- and potential- through a huge leap of faith. At some parts in the film you will be reduced to tears and despair as things go from bed to worse to dire.Gardners seems to be losing his fight to have a better life for his son while reduced to sleeping in toilets and shelters.
This film really shows a mans struggle to better himself in gritty realism and the beautiful bond that exists between father and son .Through the storyline Garners and his son go on a journey but by the beautiful acting the viewer goes thers too. One to definately watch if you want to inspire yourself or remind yourself that the world can be a good place. I hope to see a lot more of Jaden Smith to as he steals every scene.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have to admit, I have never been a huge fan of Will Smith, but after seeing a trailer for this film, thought I'd give it a go. I am so glad I did. The beginning of the film says 'inspired by a true story' and since I don't know the real story, I can't say how true to life it is, but it was a real heartwarming tale.
Set in the 1980s, Chris Gardner has a partner (not sure whether she was his wife or girlfriend) and a 5 year old son and life is not going so well. He is stuck trying to sell medical hardware, which he bought into believing it to be a good idea, and is struggling to make any sales at all. His life begins to change when he sees a stock broker arriving for work in a flash car with a huge smile on his face. He applies for an internship in the brokerage firm and happily gets offered 1 of 20 jobs. The problem is, it doesn't carry a salary. Gardner is left trying to complete the internship with the hope of securing the 1 job that comes at the end of it, whilst also providing for his son and struggling for money.
I truly think that this film should have won an Oscar as it certainly sucked me into the story. Even if Will Smith is not one of your favourite actors, you must see this film. His real life son, Jayden, is a great addition to the cast too.
Set in the 1980s, Chris Gardner has a partner (not sure whether she was his wife or girlfriend) and a 5 year old son and life is not going so well. He is stuck trying to sell medical hardware, which he bought into believing it to be a good idea, and is struggling to make any sales at all. His life begins to change when he sees a stock broker arriving for work in a flash car with a huge smile on his face. He applies for an internship in the brokerage firm and happily gets offered 1 of 20 jobs. The problem is, it doesn't carry a salary. Gardner is left trying to complete the internship with the hope of securing the 1 job that comes at the end of it, whilst also providing for his son and struggling for money.
I truly think that this film should have won an Oscar as it certainly sucked me into the story. Even if Will Smith is not one of your favourite actors, you must see this film. His real life son, Jayden, is a great addition to the cast too.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
A lot of Blu Ray disks at the moment mainly concentrate on the film itself, which is nice, but having the extras is a bonus, and this disk doesn't disappoint: all the extras from the original The Pursuit Of Happyness are here, which is great.
The film itself is good, Will Smith carrying Chris Gardner off well, and his son Jaden great. The story can sometimes be a bit unbelievable, but the way it's told really does make it enjoyable. Plenty of funny bits in between the sadness; the chases to get the bone scanner being some of the best action bits.
The Blu-ray transfer is great, 24fps, 1080p AVC, so it's great quality. The sound is also well transferred: 5.1 PCM, which isn't bad, would have liked TruHD, but that's by the by.
All the extras are here, in MPEG2 format, which is just a touch over the DVD quality. The best one being the Rubik's Cube featurette, fascinating.
This is well worth getting on the HD platform, it's clear as a bell and reminds me of when I saw it in cinemas, clear, bright and colourful. You won't find a better transfer, well until HD is superseded, but that's a long way away. If you really like this movie, get it, otherwise might be better getting the DVD.
4/5 for the film, 4/5 for the transfer and 3/5 for the extras.
The film itself is good, Will Smith carrying Chris Gardner off well, and his son Jaden great. The story can sometimes be a bit unbelievable, but the way it's told really does make it enjoyable. Plenty of funny bits in between the sadness; the chases to get the bone scanner being some of the best action bits.
The Blu-ray transfer is great, 24fps, 1080p AVC, so it's great quality. The sound is also well transferred: 5.1 PCM, which isn't bad, would have liked TruHD, but that's by the by.
All the extras are here, in MPEG2 format, which is just a touch over the DVD quality. The best one being the Rubik's Cube featurette, fascinating.
This is well worth getting on the HD platform, it's clear as a bell and reminds me of when I saw it in cinemas, clear, bright and colourful. You won't find a better transfer, well until HD is superseded, but that's a long way away. If you really like this movie, get it, otherwise might be better getting the DVD.
4/5 for the film, 4/5 for the transfer and 3/5 for the extras.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fantastic
The DVD arrived promptly and in new cellophane wrap. The viewing quality was great. Would definitely recommend it to others - great gift!
Published 1 month ago by miss erin e woods
fantastic!
absolutely fantastic movie! Actually one of the best ones I have ever seen. Very emotional and heart touching! Read more
Published 7 months ago by natalie
Oh dear, oh dear a real clunker.
Very disappointing. Basically, the story is the same as "The Straight Story" and the "World's Fastest Indian", both far superior movies. Read more
Published 16 months ago by fat man on a bicycle
broken casing
When I got the dvds the casing was totally smashed on one side, the dvds themselves were a bit scratched but still worked but the case doesn't close and I've tried fixing it but... Read more
Published 18 months ago by tht
Film Review
Received goods in double quick time and in excellent condition. Very pleased with service. Highly recommended.
Published 19 months ago by O. J. Phillips
gives you hope for the future
pleasantly surprised that Will Smith chose this subject to make a film about. Good Stuff!
Published 19 months ago by Mr. Robert G. Mita
I was left with a feeling of 'Happyness'...
Will Smith and his son have a truly wonderful relationship off the screen (so I've heard) and this is duly represented in this film. Read more
Published 21 months ago by N. J. Elcox
Rantworthy
Pursuit of happiness??? Pursuit of money more like. The very synopsis of this film is the antithesis of what a movie about finding happiness should be about. Read more
Published 21 months ago by beck Fid
The trailer is the film.
Loosely based on the 'rags to riches' life story of stockbroker Chris Gardner, 'The Pursuit Of Happyness' is a fairly standard example of the underachieving little guy with big... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Ernie
excellent
Amazing. It is moving and for all those out there who have dreams, who are ambitious to make it in life this movie is for you.
Published on 8 May 2010 by H. C. Mbonimana
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