The Pursuit of Happyness
- Review Date: March 24, 2007
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2006
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Common Sense Media says
Inspirational but often emotionally wrenching story.
 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
Based on a true story and set in 1981 San Francisco, Pursuit begins as Chris Gardner (Will Smith) and his wife, Linda (Thandie Newton), are having troubles. She works double shifts doing hotel laundry; he's trying to sell bone density scanners (i.e., specialty medical machines that, as Chris admits in voiceover, are too expensive for most doctors to buy). When Linda abandons the family, Chris remains determined. He spends six months working in an unpaid internship at Dean Witter, dead set on becoming a stock broker. He's smart enough and good with numbers, he figures, having proved that much by solving a Rubik's cube in front of a Dean Witter broker. As he studies and scrapes by, barely earning enough each week to pay for meals, Chris is sure he's going to make it.
Is it any good?
Jaden Christopher Syre Smith is adorable. He delivers an endearing performance as Gardner's son, but unfortunately, young Jaden's very good work can't quite save the film's sentimental, simplistic structure. The concept of trust is central to Chris' self-image. In his voiceover, he unironically ponders the effective meritocracy of the American Dream, focused on Thomas Jefferson's phrasing in the Declaration of Independence. He's especially impressed that Jefferson was wise enough to see that the "pursuit" of happiness -- not happiness itself -- was all that might be deemed a right, at least for those considered entire people at the time (as opposed to, say, the 3/5ths people that slaves were determined to be).
It's useful for Chris' rather Reaganite worldview that the film doesn't deal with racism, on either institutional or individual levels. Instead, Pursuit of Happyness insists that all opportunities are available to everyone, regardless of class, education, or color. Chris repeatedly demonstrates a winning quickness and self-deprecating wit -- the movie, too often and slow-moving, isn't nearly as smart.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
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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Kid, 10 years old
August 13, 2009
AGE
Based on a True Story
It is good and Will Smith is a great actor! So is his son.
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Teen, 13 years old
November 13, 2009
AGE
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.
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Teen, 13 years old
July 8, 2009
AGE
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.
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Teen, 13 years old
June 27, 2009
AGE
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.
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Teen, 14 years old
June 16, 2009
AGE
must see
this was a great movie i even criedlean besides th language
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Kid, 12 years old
February 14, 2010
AGE
It Was Okay.
This was definitely a tear jerker for emotional people. It was pretty pointless with the f word on the wall. The sad thing is is that the movie is based on a true story. It was okay. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great.
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Teen, 14 years old
June 29, 2009
AGE
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
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Teen, 14 years old
June 25, 2009
AGE
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.
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Teen, 13 years old
June 29, 2009
AGE
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.
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Parent of 7 and 10 year old
November 20, 2009
AGE
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.
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| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Gabriele Muccino |
| Cast: | Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton, Will Smith |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 117 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 14, 2006 |
| DVD release date: | March 27, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some language. |
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