The Pursuit of Happiness (1999)

The Pursuit of Happiness Poster

Showtime's "In the 20th Century" is a millennium-related strand of feature-length documentaries in which famous directors take on major subjects of their choosing. In the fourth of the six films, "The Pursuit of Happiness," filmmaker Robert Zemeckis delves into the history of America's relationship with mind-altering substances over the past 100 years, presenting interviews with historians and professionals in the drug treatment field, interspersed with a treasure trove of film and television clips depicting the highs and lows of smoking, drinking and drugging in the 20th century

Overview
"The Pursuit of Happyness" is a spectacular biographical drama movie released in 2006. Contrary to your question, I reckon you may have confused the year considering that there's no record of the movie being released in 1999. Based Upon Christopher Paul Gardner's memoir of the very same name, the film was directed by Gabriele Muccino and scripted by Steve Conrad. Hollywood superstar Will Smith handles the lead role of Chris Gardner with his real-life son, Jaden Smith, playing Gardner's boy.

Plot Synopsis
The film portrays the motivating real-life story of Chris Gardner, a having a hard time salesman from San Francisco. Despite his consistent labor and extraordinary persistence, Gardner is not able to make ends meet and deals with many life difficulties, the darkest being homelessness while raising his son, Christopher.

Descent into Poverty
Gardner, a seller of bone-density scanners, is living a challenging life. Not just are the scanners hard to offer, but their high expenses likewise consume his cost savings, thrusting him and his five-year-old child Christopher into hardship. His spouse, Linda, leaves them due to stress, monetary struggle and their occurring quarrels.

Fighting Against All Odds
Desperate to provide a much better life for his child, Gardner gets an unsettled internship at Dean Witter Reynolds, a stock brokerage company. Despite his setbacks which include losing his home, his savings account being seized by the IRS, and being required to live in shelters and even a public restroom, Gardner persists in his job while taking care of his boy.

Success and Resolution
Gardner's strength lastly settles when he is provided a full-time position at Dean Witter Reynolds at the film's end. The emotional minute of being named as a broker after a lot struggle and chaos forms an important part of the story. Gardner's journey from homelessness to ending up being a multimillionaire stockbroker not just offers a powerful conclusion however functions as an extraordinary testimony to unyielding decision and human durability.

Crucial Acclaim and Reception
"The Pursuit of Happyness" garnered immense vital praise, especially for Will Smith's stirring performance. In truth, Smith got Best Actor nominations at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. Smith's portrayal of a down-and-out-father struggling to take a better life for his son eloquently recorded Gardner's unethical optimism in the face of misfortune. Sadly, the movie did weather criticism for what some believed to be an unvarnished recommendation of commercialism.

Conclusion
To sum up, "The Pursuit of Happyness" is a strongly moving film that showcases the undeviating determination and resilience of a guy in face of extreme life difficulties. Working as a metaphor for life, the movie narrates the tale of how a man can get rid of any barrier and accomplish his dreams through sheer decision, effort, and belief in himself. Starkly poignant, the film evaluates the borders of the human spirit and the lengths to which a man will go for his loved ones. In spite of the criticism of the movie's indicated recommendation of commercialism, "The Pursuit of Happyness" ultimately acts as an amazing testament to a father's love for his boy.

Top Cast

  • Barry Hansen (small)
    Barry Hansen
    Himself
  • Dennis Hopper (small)
    Dennis Hopper
    Himself
  • Tom Pirko
    Himself
  • Peter Hayden (small)
    Peter Hayden
    Himself
  • Phil Kavanaugh
    Himself
  • John MacDougall
  • Sandi Bachom
  • Marc F. Kern
  • Stanton Peele