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) | |
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David Michael Silverman | ... | Doctor at First Hospital |
Domenic Bove | ... | Tim Ribbon | |
Geoff Callan | ... | Ferrari Owner | |
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Joyful Raven | ... | Hippie Girl |
Scott Klace | ... | Tim Brophy |
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 it made selling these devices. However, they do not sell well as they are marginally better than x-ray at a much higher price. As Gardner works to make ends meet, his wife leaves him and he loses his apartment. Forced to live out in the streets with his son, Gardner continues to sell bone density scanners while concurrently taking on an unpaid internship as a stockbroker, with slim chances for advancement to a paid position. Before he can receive pay, he needs to outshine the competition through 6 months of training, and to sell his devices to stay afloat. Written by John Wiggins, Alf Fonz
I was involved with one of the first test audiences almost a year ago, and came away quite impressed with the acting performances and heartfelt punch of Pursuit of Happiness. This is easily one of Smith's best films, as he pours his heart and soul into the main character. While the plot may remain a bit transparent, it leaves you asking the question of yourself - how long would you keep battling to get what you really want out of life? I plan on seeing the film again when it releases to the general public, and am very interested to see what changes were made after running it through the test screenings. As I saw it then, it needed very few, if any, changes.