Fantastic and inspirational - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

This movie was simply fantastic, Will Smith and his son are one of he strongest acting pairs out there. You will cry more than once during the movie. There is no nudity, no violence, a little language

Great story of overcoming! - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

This was a movie with a great heart-warming story behind it. Will Smith and his real-life son star in this movie. It is a great example of a father who will do anything and everything he can to help his family (even when times are extremely tough and seemingly impossible). This movie will make you laugh and cry. It is a movie of utter determination. The movie is also a great example for a society in which many times either the mom, dad, or both walk away from the resposibility of their children. And, I know what my faith teaches - "With God all things are possible". Tough times never last, but tough people do. God Bless, Dr Jerry Fowler Author of Positive Prayers CD's

Dirt poor to plain ole dirt!! - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

Due to climbing prices at the movies, I am very picky on which movies I go see. I had seen the trailer for the "Pursuit of Happyness" and was very excited to go see this movie. Will Smith portrayed a very selfish father and husband in this film. Instead of using his smarts to get a real paying job to help his wife keep the family fed and properly housed, he decides that it is more important to pursue his own dreams and in doing so puts his son at danger, and neglects the commitment to his marriage. When his wife says that she has an job offer to join her sister in NYC at her brother-in-law's resturaunt, and she wanted to take her son, Christopher with her, so he can have a better life, Will Smith's Character, Chris, refuses. IF he really cared about his son, he would have told the wife to take the kid, while he gets back on his feet. I also believe that he could have had more compassion for his wife, she is pulling double shifts, he could have listened to her. She is as skinny as a rale, tired and losing hope. Where's the love? IF he was a real man, husband, father, he would have put his dreams aside for a little while, and in the meantime, got a small, but paying job to help support his family. Then later, maybe worked something out to be able to accomadate his dreams. This movie was VERY disappointing and I am very angry that I wasted my time and money on it!!!

Masterful! - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

As someone who was homeless once myself, I can truly relate to this story. I slept in my car, crashed on floors at friends houses, but had no home of my own and I was a single mother at the time. So I can truly relate to this story. I struggled to get a college degree and now make a decent living and recently purchased my first home. So I can also relate to his success. Will Smith did a remarkable job in his protrayal of Chris Gardener. And I for one salute him & his son Jaden for their work. This was a true story of accomplishment. It was not smeared by Hollywood trying to put some fake spin on things, it was real & true. Thank you.

Only 5 minutes of happiness in the whole movie - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

I wanted to cry for all but the last 5 minutes, just when you think things have to start looking up it just slaps you in the face and says pull out the tissues The Acting was Fantastic, actually thought the performances allaround were great...The ending I would have preffered to hear about what happened to his son, his wife that left him, and if he was happy with his life up until now overall it's a good story and one that will bring you to tears but I def wanted something more happy about the ending

Amazing!! - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

This movie was amazing. I went into the movie expecting great things, and came out satisfied. This movie had me in tears through 85%. I did not think that I would get as emotional as I thought I would. I am 17 years old so I went with a bunch of friends, and I'm usually not very emotional, but this movie really brought my emotional side out. I did draw some tears, but I'm not ashamed. Will Smith did an outstanding job as Chris Gardner, and I liked the way he played that character. I'm glad I went to go see it, and I probably would like to see it one more time.

Will smith/oscar nod oh yeah ...dabenz24 is crazy - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

Will smith never lost his fanbase whether it ws in hitch(hilarious) or I robot..Will SMith is one of the most versatile actors today.This film was awesome all the way.He portrayed homelessness to the bone.You actually believed that he was in that state of mind .Wonderful all the way around..Will smith desereves serious consideration for a oscar.. Its about time that we got rid of those fake tom cruise movies and horrible joaquin pheonix movies..Will smith might be holding gold come oscar time..

From fresh prince to oscar king - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

Will Smith blew me away in this movie, I thought that Ali was his best performance but his performance in this movie was the best acting I seen in a long while. He deserves the Oscar for best actor! I couldn?t believe this is the same actor from The Fresh Prince, Independence day, Wild Wild West and the other movies that he pretty much is known for (along with that annoying shout). The movie itself is so moving and inspiring. You can?t help but get choked up. It is based on the true life of Chris Gardner who struggled with homelessness while trying to raise his son, when the wife couldn?t take it no more and left them. He tries real hard to survive and land a job and at the same time play and encourage his son. This movie is going on my collection.

Will smith shines in inspirational film - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

"The Pursuit of Happyness" is an inspiring film and, as is the case with most inspiring films, hinges on the performance of Will Smith. The story, like many such stories, runs a relatively predictable course. Will Smith does deliver a great performance as Chris Gardner, who is determined to make a better life for his family. He is an intelligent man caught in a tough spot financially. Despite his dire situation, he never stops believing in himself or Thomas Jefferson. One performance that breaks the standard down and out man beats the odds story is Thandie Newton's. She plays Gardner's wife, who does not have as much faith in him. Typically this story would have a "stand by your man" wife. Newton's character is not that typical wife and it adds to the quality of the story. What's most reassuring about Gardner's story, and consequently the film, is the perseverance of Chris Gardner. He doesn't have heroic physical strength. He doesn' have a miracle that shows him the light or grants his wish. He keeps at it. He overcomes every obstacle. This makes him a greater hero than Rocky Balboa, General Maximus or any action hero that has graced the screen.

Soulful - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

A very soulful story about a man whose on his own struggling to raise his kid. He is ambitious and smart and realizes from a haphazard run in with someone random that he can be a stockbroker without a tremendous education. The movie is about him dealing with all the things goings on in his life such as the stock broker trainee intership program and making money to support his kid. He is forced into some really hard times. I think everyone can relate to this character which makes him and the movie so much more poignant. He must run to make some crucial life altering appointment after being held up completely against his will. Just his rush and pace to try to get ahead and keep things secure reminded me of life in NYC. He is always running from some crazy circumstance and then has to completely compose him self and smile and show that he is good with people after all the madness he just went through. These parts were very amusing. Will Smith does do an excellent job portraying this character. He was perfect for the role. His sort of edgy, a little nervous, immersed in thought walk and his desperate, exhausted, nearly hopeless, melancholy yet determined facial expressions were really believable. His character can be viewed upon as a role model for people. To keep up hope never give up. This character has a tremendous amount of integrity and positive spirit and persistence despite all odds. However, the story is what you think it is and what I described and that?s it. Therefore it is a really simple story and besides the emotion and soul of Will Smith there is not much else there. No other characters are really significant. There is nothing to be said for the dialogue. There really wasn?t more than meets the eye here. But I was drawn in and rooted for Will Smith the whole time.

Are you suffering from insomnia? pofh could help. - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

This movie is terrible. Boring. Long. Horribly done. It may have been a feel-good story, unfortunately they decided not to show any of the parts that could have possibly been entertaining (his rise as a broker, how he distinguished himself among the interns in the program, how he got stuck with all of the scanners, etc.). Instead we get to see Will Smith running. Seriously, that is what occurs in 90% of the movie. He runs for buses, for trains, for cars, into cars, after homeless hippies, and more. There is hardly any dialogue. Nothing really happens on screen. All of the big events are just alluded to. Also, most of the movie repeats the same sequences over and over again...it's like they only had ten days to film it. We get to see Will Smith chase after a hippie who stole one of his scanners, then fifteen minutes later (amazingly, implausibly) we get to see him do the same thing again. Wedged in between is a scene where he flees a cabbie who chases him. We also have the pleasure of seeing him stand in line for a homeless shelter....LIKE TEN TIMES!!! We get the point, he's poor. How about showing us how he succeeds, not just telling us that he does in a caption at the end. Absolutely terrible.

Smith shines - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

I had subpar hopes for this movie and let me tell you this movie really surprised me. The movie all together was good, but Will Smith really makes the movie with his Oscar performance in my opinion. The story like I said was good, but repeating at sometimes. It was almost boring at sometimes, but it'll touch you by the end and it was great at times. Overall I say it's a good movie that you'll leave with a smile. Don't be afraid to go see it.

Will smith was great. thandie newton even better - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

This PoH script is simply okay, however it becomes an excellent movie because of the acting performances. Will Smith's character is supposed to be a shining example of perseverance and dedication, and Will handles that role perfectly without silly one liners and other action movie trademarks that he has used in the past. However, Newton's character is PERFECTLY acted. This is a woman who instead of abandoning her family at the first sign of trouble, decided to work 80 hours a week in a one of the country's lowest paying jobs (she apparently works as a laundry service girl in a hospital) for close to half a year so that Will Smith's character could sell the machines that he sunk their money into. Even though Chris is a hard worker, he never goes the extra mile to help her by picking up a 2nd job the way that his wife has. As the months wear on, and Linda continues to be the only source of financial support for the family, she becomes increasingly frustrated with everything reaching the boiling point when Chris's long series of unwise actions start to interfere with her shift work and consequently her ability to provide for the family. Newton could have made this character into an unrealistic sycophant who supports her husband's every whim (which apparently is what some critics wanted). Or she could have turned her character into a shrew that complains and yells at her husband all the time. Newton wisely does neither. Although, Linda nagging Chris, she does not spend the bulk of her time doing that. Rather, Newton turns Linda into a woman who is simultaneously battling to believe in her husband while coming to terms with the fact that their life is only getting worse despite Chris's persuasive words. Linda consequently alternates between tears of hope and expressions of disgust and disappointment. Newton's was easily the best, most well-rounded emotional performance in a film that featured many excellent performers. I highly recommend this movie because of the performances; and especially because of Newton's performance.

Inspiring - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

This was one of the most thought provoking and inspiring movies I've seen in awhile. The movie shows you how optimism, strong will and generosity go such a very long way.. and it'll definately make me question myself before thinking that I'm having a bad day. The actual screenplay was somewhat disappointing... at times it was very slow paced. But all-in-all, it was worth seeing for the message and for the wonderful acting by both Will Smith and little Jaden (his son in real life).

Thanks will for the 2nd chance - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

Will Smith did a Dam Good Job in that movie. From the start to the end was real because I'm currently living it and lived it. Sometimes when you get so far down it's hard to climb up but when that right opportunity comes you must take it no matter what because it may be your last. There was nothing fake about that movie and I assumed you had to lived it to act it but Will found a way to live it on the screen. I would not wish life like that on the Devil because it's hard and people are harder when you're down. To the people that think everyone can pull out on top, it's not true. It's only true for 1 out of 100,000 or more because the average person would fold. His son kept him going because my daughter keeps me going. His son was grown at 5 years of age and that's what happens when you experience it young. I'm glad they did not stero type that all homeless people that's trying to make it drink and smoke. That's not the case. I asked my theripist if I don't drink or smoke what is my high? And she said, Accomplishments. A man on an accomplishment jounery tend to get high on accomplishments but trying to get that one accomplishment sets you back because it seem like no one wants you to win. I think they new he had the job becuase no matter what he kept going and did not complaint about nothing. The best quote of the movie was, "Quitting is a Sin." Thanks Will for giving me more hope and for living that movie real. There was no special effects it was the straight TRUE.

Took a long time to get to the happy ending - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

It would be disrepectful to not like this movie. The story is based on true events, the little boy is cute, the father is someone you can relate to. My feeling through the whole movie was that I knew it would end on a good note, and when bad thing after bad thing happened, I wanted to happy ending to hurry and get there. I admire the man this is portraying. However, I think we got the idea about 1 hour into it...yep...things were bad, he was in a tough situation. Got it. So why did we have to keep suffering through more and more of it? The happy ending was a bit short. Personally I would have liked seeing a few shots of them living a better life, just for closure.

Great acting ruined by a poor screenplay - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

When I first saw the trailer for Happyness I envisioned an Academy Award winning film. It made my girlfriend tear up and having never had a father in my life, I was moved by the profound message of the film. (This was just the trailer). After having seen the film I think of it as a lost opportunity. First of all Will Smith plays his role perfectly. His acting has true sincerity and he does an excellent job. I think he could possibly earn an Academy Award nomination but his acting is marginalized by a poor script. One of the first events that sparks his fall and Phoenix like rise is when his wife (played by Thandie Newton) leaves. It makes no sense that her ambitions befall her responsibilities of being a parent to the couple's son. It really puts a kink in the film and should have been expressed differently. Sadly moments like these often hamper the film's brilliance. Now that being said there are a number of moments that will move you and watching Smith's character lose everything only to return stronger than before is one of the classic tales that makes for great cinema. This film has a great message and affected me because my father was never around. I don't think of it as a morality play but it certainly does a great job of driving home some core values that sometimes get lost in the shuffle of our busy lives. Its great for families and dates and should be number 1 at the box office this week. Have a wonderful holiday season and I wsih you the best! -Duke

Feel good film of the year! - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

I was excited to see this movie after seeing the previews, yet was a little skeptical of Will Smith playing a drama role. Well I must say after seeing the sneak preview last night that I was extremely impressed with Mr. Smith's versatility. He really sold the role and you could feel throughout the film what he was feeling. The only role that I feel could have been played better, was his wife in the film. She seemed to be over-acting, and didn't really make the role very memorable. As far as Will's son, he is adorable, and did a fantastic job. I look forward to seeing his career progress. This is a definite must see film, and look out at the awards shows, because this film should run away with quite a few.

Will smith is amazing - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

This could be the movie that gets Will Smith an award because he was absolutely brilliant in this movie. He is one of my favorite actors and he never lets me down. All of his movies are great. Will's son Jaden does a great job as his son in the movie. Overall this movie is flawless with a great message, a great story & Great acting. I hope this movie does great at the box office. I'll guess $120,000 million overall at least. This movie has a great cast with Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith & Dan Castellaneta.

Greek mythology brought to life - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

One of the oldest storytelling devices, is the story of the hero's journey, who must overcome many trials by fire before being able to grab glory. This is precisely what this film is, and for what it is, it is wonderful. There was one reviewer who said that this movie is a downer, since he wants to be entertained by a light-hearted movie during Christmas. That one cries a lot during this film, and feels the sting of shared frustration with the characters (enough to hear groans of anger throughout the theatre) is certainly no joke. Whilst not presuming to tell people what they should like during this festive season, I can tell you that there can be no better film at the moment (save The Nativity Story), which is most evocative of Christmas. The humble beginnings which seem to entrap, more than to liberate. The hardships one must undergo, when everything seems ranged against us. The people poised to take advantage of one, but also unexpected benefactors bearing the gift of opportunity. All of this, is in this film. Will Smith, whom I haven't seen this involved and mature as an actor in a film, since the exceptional Six Degrees of Separation, performs his role with a world-weary courage that surely makes him an Oscar buzz threat. This is a film of possibilities: Can it be possible for a man to make it on his own, after his life's partner deserts his little family? Can he be the father to his son, that his own father never was? Can he stay afloat, even a little bit, as tax collectors, the police, and a life ridden in poverty (but not despair), threaten to submerge him? For the answer, you must see the film. But the overwhelming response must surely be: anyone can do so, with talent, courage, and perserverance. The hero's journey is never easy. But they wouldn't call it the hero's journey, if you didn't have to be heroic throughout.

The real deal - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

A "message movie about homelessness"? I think not. Obviously, E! Online, Dezhda Mountz never experienced anything too scary....like being a mother of two teenagers who did not yet have a job and whose ex-husband wasn't living up to expectations of "a Christian man". I wondered why my shoulder muscles were so tense for the first half of the film. It was because I identified with the absolute terror of how Chris Gardner/I was going to provide for his son/my two kids. No, we weren't homeless, I just relied on the good Lord to work in mysterious ways, keeping a roof over our heads, and providing food for us. But I gotta tell ya, Will Smith and his real life son did a good job of portraying "you do what you've got to do". This movie provides REAL inspiration. Karen Schwartz

We should all be so (un)lucky to relate... - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

Everyone goes through ups and downs...that is part of life...but not the extremes of Chris Gardener. I myself was "homeless" for about 4 months during grad school sleeping on a friends couch in a dorm. That was traumatic...no place to put your things, no space, or privacy. That is not even close to having to lock yourself in a bathroom at a train station. I could also relate to events that cascade and come down on you like the world is plotting against you. A greedy unexpected lay off by a long time employer, a break up, she took out 75k in credit cards...bankruptcy looms, rent is due, job outlook is bleak....etc. I could relate to his plight of "What next?" "Where do I turn now?" "What will become of me?" that was etched in scene after scene in his face. Sometimes being unlucky is what needs to happen to you in order to come out of it the person you were destined to become. May not make sense at the time, but usually you are better for it. Will Smith delivers a great performance and so does his real life son. His expressions, and tears, and desperation that is exuded in his every fiber is authentic and inspiring. You can feel the pain and shame when he breaks down in that bathroom covering the ears of his exahuasted son. If we all haven't been there in our lives, we were taken there by Will Smith. This is a great film to give hope and inspiration to everyone that is not where they want to be in their lives.

Hope for the hopeless - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

I took my whole family to see this movie and it was one of the best movies we've seen this year. My kids got a glimpse of what life looks like outside of our "world". My wife cried and I was captivated. I would recommend this movie to everyone.

Determination and emotion in pursuit of a dream - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

Will Smith is already nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance which brings life in The Pursuit of Happyness. This film is essentially the redemption film that Will Smith required because of his latest films that were disappointments such as I, Robot, and Hitch. Even though it was hard for me to take Will Smith seriously with this role, he proved otherwise and triumphed with an interesting underdog story. The first time I saw the trailer I was enthusiastic and determined on watching the film because of the raw emotion that was present. The Pursuit of Happyness is a true story based on the life of a struggling man named Chris Gardener (Will Smith). Chris is a single father that was evicted from his apartment in San Francisco. With his son Christopher (Jaden Smith) which is five years old, both discover the life of being homeless and going to shelter to shelter just trying to survive in the world. But later on Chris Gardener lands an internship at a famous stock firm which evidently changes his luck. This is truly a heartfelt story about a man that was determined on pursuing a dream with his life in poverty and was not going to quit no matter what people said. I truly enjoyed The Pursuit of Happyness for the integrity of the hardships of what Chris Gardener did. Even if I might not accept as true most of the situations that went on in this film but I actually understood the acting and the direction of which this film was going to. I think the title for this movie should need some work though, Happyness is not a word. Although I praise this film in an approach, I did not like that the film was predictable and some of the dialogue was blatant. Some of the cons were that there were not that many recognizable cast members that supported the star of the film, Will Smith and furthermore some situations were unneeded. The Pursuit of Happyness checks in at around 1 hour and 56 minutes which suits the film very much. It was a slightly below my expectations but could have some fixes that would have helped the film a little bit. I recommend this film to moviegoers that are interested in experiencing the movie that will redeem Will Smith?s career from I, Robot and Hitch. This film is exceptionally well fashioned and does a fantastic job in adapting into a motion picture. The finest part of the film hands down is the incredible effort in the performance by Will Smith?s character.

Can you say "oscar" - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

this is one amazing film. this acting is flawless in this film. it will either be will smith or leo dicaprio for best actor. if you dont get choked up in this film you dont have a heart. one of the best films i have seen in a long time. the son of will smith does an amazing job also for his first role in a major film. this is an A++ in my book. Good movie for the whole family to enjoy.

Will smith's best ever! - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

Pursuit of Happiness shows one of the hardest life situation, the story was amazing, directiong was good, and will smith did a great great job. you can easily feel him, you can understand clear how does he feel during the movie. He did awsome, and I'm surely saying this movie is his best ever. This movie defenetly has the chance to be nominate for Oscar, and Will Smith desereves to be a Academy Award Winner. If you haven't seen, go and watch it because you are missing an amazing movie.

My pursuit of happyness - The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

Being someone who was actually homeless in SF, I got an oppurtunity to work as an extra, in the movie Pursuit of Happyness! Since the movie finished fimling, last November, I've gone on to not only work at a movie theater, but also work in a TV show and also be in a local, bay area commercial in the last year. Why I liked the film? As Christopher Gardner would say, "If you want something in life, go get it, period!" I found the movie was very intertwined with the feelings and emotions of a shared sense of hopelessness when your homeless. I could relate to the desperation and despair of living on the streets, trying to survive. I saw Gardner on set and had a chance to shake Will's hand. They have inspired me to "pursue my happyness" and keep pursuing acting. Thank you...Will and Chris, God bless. Amen.