by Rianne Hill Soriano

Created on: December 21, 2010

"The Pursuit of Happyness" is a moving character-based drama about a father trying to break the cycle of poverty. Amidst its heavily emotional story, it has a very life-like approach that is quite inspiring. It may be a little long and tedious because of its intense look showcasing the day-to-day survival of an ultimately struggling father, but in the long run, its inner qualities of need and desperation channel the spirit to survive and be happy.

Italian director Gabriele Muccino utilizes a realist treatment supported by handheld camera work and a working melodramatic screenplay that portrays the lights and shadows of the 1980s era San Francisco.

With Steve Conrad’s script providing a serious glimpse of the struggle of the American urban poor through a man’s relentless pursuit for happiness, this optimistic, rags-to-riches tale has crisscrossed motives. It pays respect to all single parents striving for their families amidst limited resources. It attempts to validate certain things a person can do when faced with countless obstacles. It presents a story about how a man stripped off his dignity can still believe in himself for his son. It becomes a reminder and an eye-opener to anybody who has been at the bottom, or fear they are already heading there. It reiterates how a poor man’s plight becomes his source of strength, amidst the biting realities of life. It gives a brand new insight to the so-called "American dream" that doesn’t really come in for free.

Engineered to touch, "The Pursuit of Happyness" generates some genuine pathos as Chris Gardner tries to escape the confines of his economic situation. This film has a certain depth and honesty that goes beyond the usual mainstream Hollywood style. It may have a slight TV movie vibe to it, but the story about a hard-pressed African-American single parent and his open-minded son and their life struggle embodies certain modern virtues of determination, idealism, and hope. It can pass as a Hallmark Channel movie offer complete with a certain charm to work as a tearjerker for certain people (of whatever gender).

This realistic depiction of a father’s noble strife promotes a convincing on-screen relationship authenticated by real-life father and son Will Smith as Chris Gardner and Jaden Smith as Christopher Gardner. A whole new Thandie Newton works uninhibitedly as she portrays the role of Chris’ wife Linda Gardner - without the usual glamour and alluring personality she exudes

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