The Pursuit of Happyness

In another rare departure from the action blockbuster roles he is most know for, Will Smith trades his laughter-inducing humor for heart-wrenching emotion in The Pursuit of Happyness and succeeds spectacularly. Smith would do well to take on more roles like these.

The Men in Black actor plays Chris Gardner, a hard-working businessman whose lack of success and poverty-level living conditions are overpowered by his devotion to his wife (Crash actress Thandie Newton) and his son, played by his own, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith. As Gardner's business selling bone scanners to doctors across the city continues to flounder, his wife leaves them out of desperation and frustration. Determined to achieve something better for his son, Gardner signs up for an unpaid, highly competitive internship program with a stockbroker firm, from which only one of the many interns will be selected for a paid position. Gardner pursues his goal with awe-inspiring dedication, juggling his duties as a father and a businessman and seemingly losing everything while he chases his incredibly risky dreams.

Even at two hours, the film tends to drag a bit, dwelling slightly more than necessary on the obstacles Gardner and his son face. However, watching the two Smiths playing off of each other with their natural chemistry makes their love all the more believable. The film's exhilarating conclusion lends audiences a sense of gratitude for the sacrifices people make for the happiness of their own loved ones.

Italian director Gabriele Muccino helms The Pursuit of Happyness with great sentiment in his first major English-languge film.