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.
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The Pursuit of Happyness
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Rags-to-riches tale is predictable but well-acted.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
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.
Read our full review by Cynthia Fuchs
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?
Our Members Say
See all 53 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Excellent and Inspiring Movie
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- 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.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
Based on a True Story
It is good and Will Smith is a great actor! So is his son.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give itMy 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.
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
Good movie!
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- 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.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give itMy 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
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- 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.
- I rate this title for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
e.g. Perfect for older kids, but not for tweens
great movie.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
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.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy 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!
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
its a great movie. it teaches you a lesson.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
must see
this was a great movie i even criedlean besides th language
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
really good movie
love this movie
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
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
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give itMy 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.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
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.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
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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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
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This movie was great, but it cost way too much at the store, so I got it free here:
http://tinyurl.com/anvpqp