The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional endeavor.

Director:

Gabriele Muccino

Writer:

Steve Conrad

Stars:

Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 11 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Will Smith	...	Chris Gardner
Jaden Smith	...	Christopher (as Jaden Christopher Syre Smith)
Thandie Newton	...	Linda
Brian Howe	...	Jay Twistle
James Karen	...	Martin Frohm
Dan Castellaneta	...	Alan Frakesh
Kurt Fuller	...	Walter Ribbon
Takayo Fischer	...	Mrs. Chu
Kevin West	...	World's Greatest Dad
George Cheung	...	Chinese Maintenance Worker (as George K. Cheung)
David Michael Silverman	...	Doctor at First Hospital
Domenic Bove	...	Tim Ribbon
Geoff Callan	...	Ferrari Owner
Joyful Raven	...	Hippie Girl
Scott Klace	...	Tim Brophy

Storyline

Based on a true story about a man named Christopher Gardner. Gardner has invested heavily in a device known as a "Bone Density scanner". He feels like he has made these devices. However, they do not sell as they are marginally better than the current technology at a much higher price. As Gardner tries to figure out how to sell them, his wife leaves him, he loses his house, his bank account, and credit cards. Forced to live out in the streets with his son, Gardner is now desperate to find a steady job; he takes on a job as a stockbroker, but before he can receive pay, he needs to go through 6 months of training, and to sell his devices.

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Plot Keywords:

salesman | stockbroker | internship | marriage | hospital | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Cantonese

Release Date:

15 December 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Chris Gardner Project

Filming Locations:

Alameda, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£2,527,181 (UK) (12 January 2007)

Gross:

$162,586,036 (USA) (23 February 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Relativity Media, Overbrook Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Throughout the film, period advertisements for Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) can be seen in numerous places (Taxis, Busses, BART stations). PSA was a very popular low-fare airline in California during the period that this film is set in.

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Goofs

When Chris enters the day care center to pick up his son, the cameraman and camera are reflected in the window.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Christopher Gardner: Christopher is staying with me.

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Connections

Featured in The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007)

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Soundtracks

"I Know It's a Sin"
(1958)
Written by Jimmy Reed and Mary Reed

User Reviews

Meaningful and Uplifting

My husband and I had an opportunity to attend a screener of this movie last night. We had seen several commercials and a trailer for the film and we had high hopes, we were not disappointed. Many times "inspired by" films feel like hard sells or bids for Oscar glory. "Pursuit of Happiness" is none of that. This is an honest, meaningful film that will stay with you long after you leave the theatre. The viewer becomes fully invested in the struggles of Chris Gardner and his son. Will and Jadyn Smith deserve huge kudos. The real-life father and son dynamic enriched the film and don't know if other actors could have been as powerful. Be warned, there are several tissue inducing moments. This movie is well worth a ticket!