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

Jaden Smith, who plays Chris Gardner's son, is Will Smith's real-life son. Christopher is Jaden's middle name.

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Goofs

The bright yellow platform edge warning system, in all of the BART station scenes, was installed in 1987.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Christopher: Knock, knock.
Christopher Gardner: Who's there?
Christopher: Nobody.
Christopher Gardner: Nobody who?
[Christopher says nothing]
Christopher Gardner: Christopher, nobody who?
[Christopher says nothing]
Christopher Gardner: [laughs] Okay, that's funny.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cleveland Show: Brotherly Love (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Feelin' Alright"
(1968)
Written by Dave Mason
Performed by Joe Cocker
Courtesy of A&M Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Great Movie

I was blessed to have seen this movie last night. It made me laugh, it made me cry and it made me love life.

This movie is a great movie that depicts a love of a father for his son. Will Smith did an incredible job and deserves every accolade available to him. His son also did a fantastic job.

There is a great lesson that is learned in this movie and it truly shares the struggles of everyday life.

This movie was heart felt and touching. It was truly an experience worth having. Thank you for making this movie and I look forward to seeing it again.