Cinema Hype

Does anybody else think it’s a little ironic that a movie called The Pursuit of Happyness would end up being two hours of soul-crushing depression? I suppose the clue’s in the title: it’s about the pursuit of happ[i]ness. Nobody says anything about actually being happy. Good thing, too, or else they’d have some disillusioned filmgoers on their hands.

The movie isn’t bad from a technical standpoint. The script is reasonable, and director Gabriele Muccino has a knack for setting up his shots (though Will Smith does seem to spend half of his screen time running and/or crossing streets, which may have been a thematic choice, but I doubt it). What makes it a little tedious is the subject matter: The Pursuit of Happyness is about the stresses of poverty, the way that being poor wears on a person, even as he strives to find a way out. It’s realistic, but it’s hard to watch–all the audience wants is for something to go right for Smith’s character, just once, and Muccino doesn’t offer much to relieve that tension.

The reason to see this movie, if you’re looking for a reason, stands with Smith’s Golden-Globe-nominated performance as Chris Gardner. This is just the kind of role Smith thrives on: tough but heartfelt, golden-hearted and determined to do the right thing. His presence onscreen is easy–not lazy, just graceful–and he doesn’t rush or get hysterical, even when his character does. He wears Gardner like a skin and makes him accessible, which is probably Smith’s greatest gift as an actor. Smith’s real-life son, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, plays Gardner’s long-suffering son, Christopher; he has surprisingly few lines for being a main character, but he delivers them well, without the self-consciousness of plenty of child actors. The same can’t be said for Thandie Newton, who plays Christopher Gardner, Jr.’s mother; it’s unclear what happened to Newton in this movie, but she’s full of bluster and histrionics, and would do well to maybe tone her act down in the future. Just a tad, please, Thandie. You’re making our ears ring. Also, would you like a snack? A Twinkie, maybe?

In all, The Pursuit of Happyness is reasonably well-made, and Smith is worth seeing in it. Just be prepared to have your heart slowly steamrolled, and tell yourself it’s all about the pursuit. That’s it.