I just watched Will Smith in The Pursuit if Happyness

@estherlou (5015)
United States
April 1, 2007 9:32am CST
What an incredible movie! Based on a true story! What the man had to endure! I kept laughing ruefully in disbelief throughout the whole movie! One thing after another! How the man didn't get beaten down and just give up says quite a lot for his character! Perhaps the only thing keeping him going was his love for his child, but man oh man...what he went through! I'm still shaking my head! What a testimony to perserverence! And the fact that the man the movie is based on actually "made it" and is now wealthy...wow! Will Smith did a wonderful job acting in this movie. And his son did also. Really believable. I'd buy this movie.
7 people like this
31 responses
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
1 Apr 07
I am actually looking forward to watch this movie since I saw the trailers of the movie. I thought Will Smith looked great with his moustaches in the trailers. Now thanks your review, I will make it a point to check out the movie. Cheers! Ram
3 people like this
@SageMother (2277)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I have seen the trailers and heard people talking about the movie. I think one thing that made this success possible was that it appears that no authorities stepped in and told him how his little family had to function...his child stayed with him as far as I can tell. I am going by the trailer where they are in the public restroom and someone is there baning on the door. This isn't a movie that I will watch though. When I go to a movie I want to escape, unless I am watching a documentary. I don't like movies that jerk my emotions around, ESPECIALLY those based on real life stories. There are too many lives that have had similar hardships to make this entertaining for me. There are families in our cities living in homeless shelters and kids who get on the school bus ar the "Salvation Army". It is nice that this fellow, in real life, is now wealthy. How much does he donate toward families in need pre month? I am more interested in THAT!
2 people like this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
2 Apr 07
Interesting question. I like to be entertained also, and don't always like to watch "deep" movies. But I wanted to see this one. I was just very impressed at how he continued to persevere when things continued to beat against him. There was one part in the movie where things were beginning to get to him and he had to retract something he told his son and tell him to never let anyone take away his dream even if it was him. And he kept going until he made it. I wouldn't call it a tear-jerker movie...I didn't cry, I just kept shaking my head in admiration. As for whether or not the real man remembers where he came from? who knows if he donates...
• United States
1 Apr 07
I tried to pick that up last night and they were all out at the video store. I just read a review of the book on Gather. The person had already seen the movie and said he was disappointed in how the movie "Hollywoodized" it. But, I want to see it, anyway. I hear it's really good.
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
1 Apr 07
Since I saw the movie first, I can't comment on whether or not it was 'hollywoodized' or not. Movies often change the book. I like reading those types of books, but hadn't heard about this one. I still think it's a great movie!
1 person likes this
@tambdy (1967)
1 Apr 07
I have been wanting to see this movie for a while, i think it is his real son in the movie and thats why it looks so close and intimate. Everytime i see the advert when he gets hit with the car and gets up and says i need to go to work i laugh, i think it looks brilliant and the fact that you have given it a raving review i think i will go and see it at some point this week.
@naty1941 (2336)
• United States
1 Apr 07
Thanks for the recommendation. I will be seeing it in the near future. I will like to see movies that are positive and will teach me something.
2 people like this
@txwoman36 (173)
• United States
2 Apr 07
i have heard alot about the movie and i think it is great that is son is in the movie with his dad. i think sometimes the best movies are the true to life movies. those kind of movies can be very inspirational in my opinion. the movie is out in the movie theatre right? i will wait until its out on dvd to watch it. i think will smith is a good actor.
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
2 Apr 07
It just came out on dvd. We like to rent a lot of movies when they come out on dvd.
@loved1 (5328)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I loved this movie too. It is incredible what kind of determination some people have. I loved the part where they were shooting hoops and he told his son to not let anyone tell him that he couldn't do something. I think the part that affected me the most is when they were sleeping in the bathroom and he finally broke down and cried. I remember thinking "It is about time he had a good cry. I would have had one long before now."
1 person likes this
@sweetdesign (5142)
• United States
2 Apr 07
It is a fantastic movie. Very inspiring. I have always said that if you think things are going bad for you be gratefull for your troubles as you look around you at the troubles of others. I honestly do not know how he made it through all that he did. Talk about persevering through an onslot of misfortune. I admire the man that the movie was based on. He inspires hope and determination two qualities that are in short supply nowadays.
1 person likes this
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
1 Apr 07
I have heard that the movie is incredible and that it is a true sory wich u can not belive coz he goes through so much during the film. i have downloaded it but yet not seen it - might tonight though!
1 person likes this
@kean1337 (199)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I wanna see this movie on DVD
@Rittings (673)
2 Apr 07
If you would buy the movie then where did you watch it? You not bought it??? HAve you illegally downloaded it?? hahahaha. Yeah it's a good movie. I reallly got into it. I like will smith though, even if it wasn't the sort of movie I expected to see him in! haha. I only found out it was a true story after watching the movie... great story I must say! Really touching and inspiring.
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
2 Apr 07
Hubby watches when the new movies first come out on dvd and then we rent them to watch.
• Philippines
2 Apr 07
Hi. I quite agree with that. I was really touched when in the end, he got what he diligently worked for. Really touching and made me shed a few tears. Could one ever pursue true happYness and not want for more? I believe there is "no mountain that high" that I wouldn't climb for my children. This movie is a perfect inspiration to those of us who have been and are still in pursuit of happYness. Thanks for this post. Have a good day and happy posting!
• Philippines
4 Apr 07
Hi, another glass of water for me to drink. Cheers! :). Thank you for this best response. I deeply appreciate it. Have a great day. Keep posting!
@mflower2053 (3223)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I really enjoyed this movie and went out and bought it the day it came on DVD. I like movies that are based on true stories where someone comes from the bottom and work their way to the top no matter how hard it may be. I can't believe how the mother just could leave her child and movie so far away. Will Smith did do a great job at this movie.
1 person likes this
@loopyloo (17)
• Australia
4 Apr 07
this is a movie i really want to see, so it was good to get some feedback. always forget the names of movies i intend to watch so maybe should start to keep a list lol
• Italy
2 Apr 07
Yeah Gabriele Muccino is a great italian director,here in Italy he made a couple of nice movies,and this one is very intense and carismatic,i hope he keeps going like that ;)
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
2 Apr 07
Yes, Will Smith had seen some of his movies and wanted him as the director. A good choice!
• United States
1 Apr 07
After seeing Will Smith and his son being interviewed on the Oprah Show with clips of the movie it is definitely n my list of ones to see. I am glad you enjoyed it so much and gave it a great recommendation.
1 person likes this
@kitkat1 (1227)
• Canada
2 Apr 07
Yes i just watched it tonight as a matter of fact and you are right it is some kind of movie. That is proof that if you want something bad enough and are willing to do what it takes it can happen for you. To see what that man and his child went through and i thought my life was bad right now. Well my life is great compared to what he went through. I believe it is a great life lesson in that movie for alot of people. I know it really moved me and i too will own it for my own dvd library for sure.
• United States
2 Apr 07
I watched it this weekend...twice. It was a really good movie and both times I was tearing up at the end. After I watched it the first time, at the end I said "I wonder how if the little boys mom ever came back?" I think I will go on the net today and find out. I would recommend this movie to all my friends.
1 person likes this
@DeaXyza (577)
• United States
2 Apr 07
I saw this movie in theatre and felt the Chris Gardner truly was a man who deserved everything by the end. Some of scenes were too sad to watch like when his kid looses his only toy..... and the restroom scene, it seemed like how bad could it get? But when the end came it was like magic.... The real chris gardner is said to have gone through much more than what was depicted in the movie. It is a truly an inspiring movie a movie of rags to riches told with such sensitiveness. I do intend to see it on DVD again next month!
1 person likes this
• China
2 Apr 07
I have to say it is a rally wonderful movie. I have enjoyed it with my students, and they all are very moved and encouraged. You will know what the responsibility really means.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
2 Apr 07
I exceptionally loved the part where Will Smith and his son had to sleep in the rest room. It was a big thing for a man of the family to let his son sleep inside the bathroom. It was ego cushing, yet he did everyhting to get out of his poverty. He persevered and was successful enough. Maybe pursuing happpiness was worthwhile after all.