The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Director:

Gabriele Muccino

Writer (WGA):

Steve Conrad (written by)

Release Date:

15 December 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Plot:

A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional endeavor.

Plot Keywords:

Salesman | Stockbroker | Ambition | Real Life Father And Son Playing Father And Son | Bus

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 9 wins & 17 nominations

Cast

Will Smith	...	Chris Gardner
Jaden Smith	...	Christopher (as Jaden Christopher Syre Smith)
Thandie Newton	...	Linda
Brian Howe	...	Jay Twistle
James Karen	...	Martin Frohm
Dan Castellaneta	...	Alan Frakesh
Kurt Fuller	...	Walter Ribbon
Takayo Fischer	...	Mrs. Chu
Kevin West	...	World's Greatest Dad
George Cheung	...	Chinese Maintenance Worker (as George K. Cheung)
David Michael Silverman	...	Doctor at First Hospital
Domenic Bove	...	Tim Ribbon
Geoff Callan	...	Ferrari Owner
Joyful Raven	...	Hippie Girl
Scott Klace	...	Tim Brophy

Also Known As:

The Pursuit of Happiness (International: English title) (alternative spelling)
Untitled Chris Gardner Project (USA) (working title)
En busca de la felicidad (Argentina) (Colombia) (Spain) (Venezuela) [es]
À Procura da Felicidade (Brazil) [pt]
À la recherche du bonheur (France) [fr]
Õnne otsinguil (Estonia) [et]
A boldogság nyomában (Hungary) [hu]
Das Streben nach Glück (Germany) [de]
Jagten på lykke (Denmark) [da]
Jakten på lycka (Sweden) [sv]
La poursuite du bonheur (Canada: French title) [fr]
La ricerca della felicità (Italy) [it]
Onnen potkuja (Finland) [fi]
Stastie na dosah (Slovakia) [sk]
Stestí na dosah (Czech Republic) [cs]
To kynigi tis eftyhias (Greece) [el]
U potrazi za srecom (Croatia) [hr]
Umudunu kaybetme (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some language.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

UK:12A | Ireland:12A | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:6 | Sweden:7 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #42013) | Italy:T | Australia:M | Portugal:M/12 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | France:U | Argentina:13 | Finland:S | Brazil:Livre | Hong Kong:IIA | South Korea:All | Malaysia:U

Filming Locations:

Alameda, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

When the IRS seizes funds from Chris Gardner's account, Chris states that the date was the 25th of September. September 25th is the birthday of Will Smith who plays Chris.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In one scene, Chris enters the day care center to pick up his son, while the camera remains outside. The cameraman and camera are clearly visible in the window reflection.

Quotes:

Shoe-Spotting Intern: Hey, you're missing a shoe.
Christopher Gardner: Oh, hey, thanks!

Movie Connections:

References "The Love Boat" (1977)

Soundtrack:

Higher Ground

Will Smith is Oscar-worthy, no doubt about it.

Here's the deal: It's real, it's heavy, and it's inspirational, but NOT AT ALL cheesy. Don't like that? Don't see it. I won't say much else. I will say that Will Smith was shockingly good now that he's paid his dues with "Men in Black" and "Bad Boys."

I was very happy that this film never got political and blamed Reagan for the number of "down on their luck" people that were shown, nor was the race card ever pulled out. It was also refreshing that Smith's character never blamed anybody for his troubles.

It's very funny at parts, but be prepared for some serious drama. In no ways is it cliché or contrived or boring. Let's just say that's it not Oliver Stone dramatic. This truly is a must see. To say "I laughed, I cried" would be really lame. It is the truth, though.

We know that Scorsese's crowning achievement "The Departed" is going to take the cake at the Oscars, and I won't be complaining. But this movie deserves to be experienced and taken in by the masses.