Review of The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) by Stevek. — 28 Mar 2007

People's complaints about the movie's thorough and complete emphasis on Chris Gardner's struggle without showing the success or happiness, should probably learn to read. This is not meant as an insult, but as an observation.

The title of the movie is.... (Wait for it....) "The PURSUIT of Happyness" So what do you think the focus of the movie is going to be? Any guesses? The struggle is painful, but that's what makes it worthwhile when he gets there.

Or at least it should. I still would have liked to have seen a little more of the "happiness." Give us a glimpse of what his life looks like now. You don't have to flaunt the bling-bling or show Chris driving expensive cars and in disgustingly extravangant houses, but show us a little of the comfort and peace of mind he worked so hard to get.

Lots of pursuit but little happiness. When you work so hard to get the audience some place, there should be a pay-off (in this case: happiness), but when there isn't... or too little of it, the audience feels cheated.

The struggle is genuinely heart-wrenching particularly because Will Smith and Jaden Smith are so good, and most people can relate to a guy who pursues a good life for his family and meets hardship along the way.

But in the end it's more than a little emotionally manipulative, and the pay-off in the end falls a little short of the goal. Could have been a real inspiring and satisfying tale, but what we get instead is just a nice try.