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Movies / On DVD / The Pursuit of Happyness
The Pursuit of Happyness

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The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

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Reviews Counted:165

Fresh:109

Rotten:56

Average Rating:6.4/10

Consensus: Will Smith’s heartfelt performance elevates The Pursuit of Happyness above mere melodrama.

Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for some language

Runtime: 1 hr 57 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:12-01-2007

Synopsis: In The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a family man struggling to make ends meet. Despite his valiant attempts to help keep the family afloat, the mother (Thandie Newton) of his... In The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a family man struggling to make ends meet. Despite his valiant attempts to help keep the family afloat, the mother (Thandie Newton) of his five-year-old son Christopher (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith) is buckling under the constant strain of financial pressure. No longer able to cope, she reluctantly decides to leave. Chris, now a single father, continues doggedly to pursue a better-paying job using every sales skill he knows. He lands an internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm, and although there is no salary, he accepts, hopeful he will end the program with a job and a promising future. Without a financial cushion, Chris and his son are soon evicted from their apartment and forced to sleep in shelters, bus stations, bathrooms, or wherever they can find refuge for the night. Despite his troubles, Chris continues to honor his commitment as a loving and caring father, using the affection and trust his son has placed in him as an impetus to overcome the obstacles he faces. Columbia Pictures presents in association with Relativity Media an Overbrook Entertainment/Escape Artists Production The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith, Thandie Newton and introducing Jaden Christopher Syre Smith. The film is directed by Gabriele Muccino and written by Steven Conrad. The producers are Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, James Lassiter and Will Smith. The executive producers are Louis D’Esposito, Mark Clayman, David Alper and Teddy Zee. The director of photography is Phedon Papamichael, ASC. The production designer is J. Michael Riva. The film editor is Hughes Winborne, A.C.E. The costume designer is Sharen Davis. The music is by Andrea Guerra. The Pursuit of Happyness has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for Some Language. The Pursuit of Happyness will be released by Columbia Pictures on December 15, 2006. -- © Columbia Pictures [More]

Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Dan Castellaneta, Thandie Newton

Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Dan Castellaneta, Thandie Newton, Brian Howe

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Director: Gabriele Muccino
Screenwriter: Steve Conrad
Producer: Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, James Lassiter
Studio: Columbia Pictures

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Reviews for The Pursuit of Happyness

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
tomato

Tim Robey

We may wonder if happiness can be bought this way, and whether the film being sold to us isn't a slightly suspect package, but Smith, sublime and moving, sells it regardless.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 17 2007 02:05 PM

Daily Telegraph

splat
2/5

Jamie Graham

Relentlessly grim but in a phony, Hollywood kinda way.

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Jan., 14 2007 11:30 PM

Total Film

tomato
4/5

James Mottram

Bonding convincingly (as you might expect) with his own son on screen, Smith delivers his most compelling performance since Ali.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 14 2007 11:28 PM

Channel 4 Film

tomato
3/5

Paul Arendt

Deserves kudos for avoiding saccharine sentiment, but its relentless emphasis on money as the cure for all ills is depressing. They might as well have called it The Pursuit of Richyness.

Full Review Source: | comment 2 Comments | Jan., 14 2007 11:25 PM

BBC

splat
2/5

Charlotte O'Sullivan

Plays like an unravelling of the Eighties comedy hit Trading Places. Instead of a smart-Alec street hustler who turns the tables on his seemingly benign patrons, we have a smart saint who simply wants to join the club.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 14 2007 11:23 PM

This is London

splat
1/5

The film unspools like a souped-up vanity project.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 14 2007 11:21 PM

Times [UK]

splat
2/5

Stuart McGurk

It’s not about happiness. It’s about money. The film boasts of how many millions Gardner makes. Is he happy? You bet. It’s like being forced to watch self-help videos, while Mr Motivator molests you.

Full Review Source: | comment 3 Comments | Jan., 14 2007 11:19 PM

thelondonpaper

splat
2/5

Anthony Quinn

One can detect almost the spirit of a public information film nagging the audience: look, people, the American Dream doesn't come for free.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 14 2007 11:18 PM

Independent

tomato
4.5/4

Johnny Vaughan

The on-screen chemistry between father and son is a winning formula – lifting the film from just another tear-jerker into a heartfelt and compelling slice of cinema.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 14 2007 11:15 PM

Sun Online

tomato
4/5

David Edwards

May have a slight TV movie vibe to it, but Gardner’s story is so stirring and so incredible that it really doesn’t matter.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 14 2007 11:10 PM

Daily Mirror [UK]

tomato
3/5

Peter Bradshaw

An old-fashioned Hollywood heartwarmer.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 12 2007 03:39 PM

Guardian [UK]

tomato

Mark Salisbury

Smith hits all the right notes – understated, engaging, inspirational – even if his young son threatens to charm him off the screen.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 11 2007 03:16 AM

Time Out

tomato
4/5

Matthew Turner

With a terrific central performance by Will Smith, this is a well made, sharply written and ultimately uplifting drama, but it really piles on the misery before you get there.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 11 2007 03:16 AM

ViewLondon

tomato
3/5

Chris Hewitt (UK)

An admirably unsentimental biopic with an excellent central performance, but it doesn’t impact as strongly as it could.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 04 2007 04:54 AM

Empire Magazine

splat
2.5/5

Rich Cline

A true story told in a deeply heartwarming style: there's never any doubt where this film is going.

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Dec., 06 2006 01:05 AM

Shadows on the Wall

splat

Fernando F. Croce

Counterfeit emotion and submerged racism

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 28 2009 12:21 AM

CinePassion

N/R

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 29 2009 03:16 AM

Cinema Crazed

N/R

Tom Meek

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 23 2009 03:16 AM

Boston Phoenix

tomato
3/5

Brian Marder

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 20 2008 03:17 AM

Hollywood.com

tomato
B-

Rob Humanick

Even the most superficially glossy of surfaces can't completely extinguish the genuine emotions running beneath them here.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 06 2008 10:58 AM

Projection Booth

 
 
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