A Triumph of Story telling

Every once in a while, a movie comes along that blows you away just by how utterly simple and beautiful it is. The Pursuit Of Happyness is one of those movies, a heart-warming story of father and son, human beings, pulling together. Will Smith and eight-year-old Jaden Smith, father and son in real life, bring this to us on screen poignantly, and always with a look-on-the-brightside lightness. Their optimism comes to define, and uplift the movie. And in the process, they rise above the difficult circumstances that are integral to its story.

Chris Gardner's job as a salesman is a false start; with a wife and young son to provide for, he can hardly make ends meet. Tough times are in store. His wife leaves him, and he and his son - who he fiercely refuses to give his wife custody of - are evicted from their home because he can't pay the rent. A touching, often sad story of the two of them up against life's odds unfolds. Each time they survive one(just about), you find yourself hoping that their next episode is an inflection that turns the tide for the better. Often, they only find themselves up against another trying circumstance.

Jaden Smith, both as Christopher Gardner in this movie and as Jaden the actor, is memorable: Because of the events around him rocking his world, Christopher is often unsettled, and sometimes displays it, just as a kid of his age would. But he does not dwell, and often takes comfort in his dad's presence, like any other eightyear-old (Will Smith as his real dad must surely have helped). In turn, Chris Gardner, in spite of the hopeless situation that he sees and the desperation that he feels, looks to Christopher for reassurance. His son is easily distracted by the present moment, and doesn't know enough to comprehend just how badly off they might be. He sometimes even forgets that things are looking gloomy, something that adults are able to do much less effectively. "Are you happy?" Chris asks his son in one scene, "Because if you're happy, then I'm happy, then things are fine," taking comfort from the child-like optimism that his son has.

You sense that Gardner always has a fierce ray of hope that never goes away. Will Smith's performance is moving, and empathetic, you're rooting for him fervently. He brings many unwritten (and ineffable) facets to his character, and a large part of my being drawn into this movie and then loving it is because of what Will Smith brings to his role.

The Pursuit Of Happyness is persuasive proof that a story can be told simply, without adornment or flourish, and still fully engage your senses and leave strong, lasting impressions.

FILM : The Pursuit Of Happyness

DIRECTOR : Gabriele Muccino

CAST : Will Smith, Jaden Smith

Source: Madras plus , The Economic Times