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The Pursuit of Happyness

(2006, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Rags-to-riches tale is predictable but well-acted.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Perpetually irritated mom abandons her son; noble father dotes on son and is dedicated to taking care of him. He takes his son along on job-related excursions and lies in front of him (the kid looks appropriately skeptical when he hears it). Chris also briefly discourages and yells at his son, after which he is immediately apologetic. Chris's gamble proves right at the end.
  • Violence:

    Parents' loud argument worries their son; Chris is hit by a car, leaving his face bruised and clothes bedraggled; father yells at son for crying, frightening him into obedience; Chris starts to fight a man in line at a shelter, frightening his son, who cries.
  • Sex:

    Mother appears briefly in her bra and panties while changing into her work uniform.
  • Language:

    "F--k" written as graffiti on wall, noted and spoken by father and son; several uses of "damn," "hell," "s--t," "ass," and "a--hole." "You suck" written on wall.
  • Consumerism:

    Most products are used to mark the year (1981): A Rubik's cube figures prominently in the plot; Members Only jacket; Raging Bull movie poster; Magic Johnson poster, Captain America action figure. Chris goes to work for the Dean Witter brokerage.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Mom smokes cigarettes several times.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Pursuit of Happyness

Parents need to know that Will Smith will draw kids to this movie. But it's not an action flick or slapstick comedy -- it's an inspirational but often emotionally wrenching story. It includes some very sad scenes between family members, as well as a couple of emotionally scary ones. The mother becomes so frustrated with her husband's inability to make a living that she leaves him and their son. Later, the father yells at his son for a trivial reason and gets in a fight, scaring the boy and making him cry. If your child is in a clingy period with you, this might upset him or her. There's a very brief allusion to the mixed effects of classism and racism on the son. The father's frustration sometimes leads to tears and sometimes to angry language (mostly damn and "s--t"). A graffitied "f--k" leads to a brief discussion of the word, and the son says it out loud.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the appeal of stories like Chris'. Why do people like rags-to-riches tales? Why are they considered good material for movies? How close do you think the movie version is to the true story? Families can also talk about the risks that Chris takes to provide a "better life" for his son. How does the movie show that little Christopher is both scared of having no place to sleep, but also utterly trusting of his dad? Is it OK that Chris tells a white lie in front of his son to get a job? How does the film portray the decision by Christopher's mother to leave him? From whose point of view do you see this choice?

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Our Members Say

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  •  I think this movie is

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See all 53 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Excellent and Inspiring Movie

    This movie is inspiring. It gives hope to those struggling, and shows the wonderful relationship between a father and son. I also like the message of showing a strong father figure, as usually it's the mother who is the strong figure in movies. Superbly acted by Will Smith, and a must see.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Very moving, and extremely sad until the end

    This movie really made me cry! It was very touching and movie, with some mild profanity. It also teaches people a lesson on how fortunate they really are, and you should appreciate what you have.

  3. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Based on a True Story

    It is good and Will Smith is a great actor! So is his son.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    This movie makes me cry. I love it! It shows that anything is possible if you put you're mind into it and work hard.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Good movie!

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens

    I enjoyed this movie. It followed the true hard story of a real man. I also liked how Will Smith was cased as the role. They need to make more movies like this in my opion, it grabbes me in and takes me for a ride in my own home.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    It shows that if you try you will overcome your jouney but the thin is that it is a sad movie with lots of pressure it shows life in a bad way also

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Kept me reaching for the tissues...

    I love this film, it is really good but really sad. There is one use of f***, and a couple of uses of other language that your average parent would not want their child using but it is still really good.

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title for age 10 and give it 0.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens

    great movie.

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Rhode Island
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    I love Will Smith.

    It's a good movie. Sad, uplifting, but not true to life. It may be based on a true story, but it isn't close to what really happened.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0

  12. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Best Movie Ever, even for 12 year olds.

    Ok. There is a little bad language, but this is an amazing movie that portrays life at it's low. The characters in this movie struggle to survive, but they perservere. This is probably the best movie I've ever seen; and I'm only 12!

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    its a great movie. it teaches you a lesson.

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    must see

    this was a great movie i even criedlean besides th language

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    really good movie

    love this movie

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    Great Movie!

    This movie was great, but it cost way too much at the store, so I got it free here: http://tinyurl.com/anvpqp

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Amazing Movie for the Entire Family

    Amazing movie---Will Smith's best to date. Some cursing but beyond that an amazing movie. Will help you be grateful for your life.

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Sad but Uplifting

    The Pursuit of Happyness is a great movie inspired by a true story. I think the movie could have been a little longer and it should have shown Chris's life afterwards. Will Smith did a great job. The only thing that parents should worry about is that there is some swearing. But other than that i think it would be ok for ages 10 and up.

  20. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0

    Very good movie with an intelligent protagonist

    Will Smith was fantastic in this movie. It was very emotional. The language wasn't that bad; it's probably more of an adult or mature teen movie based on it's plot. But it was a very well done movie.

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Posted by fortyniner on 06/13/2009 (teen contributor, age 14)

This movie was great, but it cost way too much at the store, so I got it free here:
http://tinyurl.com/anvpqp

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