The Pursuit of Happyness
Columbia Pictures | Release Date: December 15, 2006
7.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 401 Ratings
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295
Mixed:
51
Negative:
55
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
EpicLadySpongeApr 13, 2016
The Pursuit of Happyness (Yes, it's incorrectly spelled on purpose) brings us the difficulties of Chris Gardner incredibly done by Will Smith. While Jaden Smith plays fine as his well along with a few others, there's nothing like seeing aThe Pursuit of Happyness (Yes, it's incorrectly spelled on purpose) brings us the difficulties of Chris Gardner incredibly done by Will Smith. While Jaden Smith plays fine as his well along with a few others, there's nothing like seeing a title with a popular goof that was done on purpose.… Expand
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8
SrPepeJul 8, 2018
Muy baja puntuación a esta gran película inspiradora y sobretodo muy emotiva.
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10
Suzana98Jul 26, 2016
Both Will Smith and Jaden Smith did an amazing job. This movie gave me the feels. Beautiful, indeed. I don't understand why this movie only got a score of 64 while **** like Boyhood got a perfect 100. Makes absolutely no sense. What so ever,Both Will Smith and Jaden Smith did an amazing job. This movie gave me the feels. Beautiful, indeed. I don't understand why this movie only got a score of 64 while **** like Boyhood got a perfect 100. Makes absolutely no sense. What so ever, this movie is a must watch… Expand
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8
alejandro970Jun 21, 2020
The true story of a seller and his efforts to get his son ahead, against all odds and obstacles. The simple fact that it is true gives it an almost inspirational charm. One of best attempts of Smith & son in big screen.
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6
FilipeNetoMar 25, 2022
Despite being an average film, Will Smith does a very good job and is worth seeing.

Life is not easy for those who are poor and have to fight every day to support their family, pay bills, and eventually improve their lives. This film givesDespite being an average film, Will Smith does a very good job and is worth seeing.

Life is not easy for those who are poor and have to fight every day to support their family, pay bills, and eventually improve their lives. This film gives us a pretty good mirror of all the difficulties that a man like that can live: from the ever-imminent bankruptcy, through precarious and poorly paid jobs and ending up in the breakdown of the family, he lives everything we could consider a nightmare.

The script is one of the strengths of this film, thanks to a painfully realistic story that will probably make many people see themselves in the characters. There's a bonus here, which is that the film is based on a true story. There are some points that, if we think about it, can raise some pertinent controversy, such as the case of the dispute over the child between father and mother being “won” by the father, while the mother only seems to care about herself. Even today, there is a lot of pressure (including from the authorities) for the mother to have the preference in disputes of this type, which does not always work and is highly discriminatory for the parent. The precariousness of work is also addressed here, with the character going through enormous difficulties to get some money from her unhappy and miserable job.

Will Smith is the soul and body of this film, in every way. He is more than the protagonist, he carries the film on his back in one of the best dramatic performances of his career. And I feel quite free to say that, since he was never an actor I really liked to see perform. We can debate whether the actor really deserved the Oscar nomination for Best Actor here… but I think that's the only thing up for debate, the rest seems to be consensual. Next to him is his real-life son, Jaden Smith, who doesn't do more than he really has to, but is young enough to really impress us. The rest of the cast is average and doesn't do much for the film, if you look closely.

Technically, the film is pretty average. The soundtrack doesn't do much for the film, the sets and costumes are pretty much what we would expect and the filming locations overlook many of San Francisco's most iconic and identifiable locations, so I never remembered that the film was set in this city. . The cinematography is also average.… Expand
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9
GuizinJan 25, 2020
This a great, beautiful movie that really touches. It has a good life message and I think it's worth it
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7
glommanMay 13, 2021
This is a heartwarming story about a guy whose life is in shambles and who has one more chance to make something out of himself, even if that means giving up his conventional livelihood and becoming a stock-broker.

I often see peopleThis is a heartwarming story about a guy whose life is in shambles and who has one more chance to make something out of himself, even if that means giving up his conventional livelihood and becoming a stock-broker.

I often see people praising this movie depicting capitalism as a meritocracy, only hard-working and diligent people get the best jobs. But the protagonist is poor from the get go, he only cares about money, he doesn't even acknowledge all the homeless people he has to sleep amongst. Hell, his wife even has a full-time job and they barely make ends meet. This is not a meritocarcy, this movie depicts a dystopia.… Expand
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8
DawdlingPoetNov 21, 2021
This is a movie very much about the great American dream and it certainly makes you count your blessings, even to just have a roof over your head! It is a bit corny and it is somewhat predictable but in a way I'm glad thats the case, I'd needThis is a movie very much about the great American dream and it certainly makes you count your blessings, even to just have a roof over your head! It is a bit corny and it is somewhat predictable but in a way I'm glad thats the case, I'd need alot more tissues if the ending was radically different... I've always admired Will Smith for his acting and again, in my opinion he doesn't disappoint. His son, Jayden, who plays his son in the movie, Chris, also puts on a good performance, you feel quite sorry for the both of them.

The reason why its spelt 'Happyness' in the name of the movie is explained during the movie, I was thinking happyness was the American English spelling of the word (seeing how they do spell some words slightly differently, kind of like that) but thats not the case... It is somewhat slow to start and kind of predictable but in a good way I think, if you can stand the 'cheese', if you like that sort of thing then I think you could easily enjoy this movie.

I hear that its pretty loosely based on that though, so I wouldn't say that the events happened exactly as their depicted in this movie, it is quite 'Hollywood-ised', if you know what I mean, though the ending is true and thats the main thing I guess you could say.
One other thing worth noting is that this is the first english language movie directed by director Gabriele Muccino, an Italian director.

This movie is well worth watching if you want to see one man fight for his son and show he can rise above the rest, so to speak and if your not put off by the predictable ending, if you quite like movies like these about the 'American dream' then you should definately check it out. The performances are good and the story does make you count your blessings, especially knowing that its at least inspired by a true story (on the DVD one of the special features is a conversation with the real Chris Gardner, which should be worth checking out). Just be careful to have some tissues nearby!… Expand
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9
kopewinApr 18, 2020
Will Smith performance is great---The Movie has very good content. Recommended
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8
Saron_UnchainedMar 30, 2022
This Movie is lovable. It is a heartbreaking Story about a man who sacrafices everything just to chase his dream. Its wonderful
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8
zklJun 20, 2020
Probably one of Will Smith's best serious performances. Jaden's performance was also pretty good for being such a young adolescent. An emotional ride about how a talented and well intentioned Gardner persevered and succeeded in the faceProbably one of Will Smith's best serious performances. Jaden's performance was also pretty good for being such a young adolescent. An emotional ride about how a talented and well intentioned Gardner persevered and succeeded in the face severe hardship. Inspirational.… Expand
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10
anuragkumarJun 13, 2021
One of the most amazing film I have ever seen !!
This movie has certainly a true heart to it.
Now-a-days, most of the movies are full of contraversy and crap and foul languages but this is a really unique movie. From the opening scene to theOne of the most amazing film I have ever seen !!
This movie has certainly a true heart to it.
Now-a-days, most of the movies are full of contraversy and crap and foul languages but this is a really unique movie. From the opening scene to the end, I was so moved by the love that Will Smith has for his son. Basically, if you see this movie and walk out of it feeling nothing.
The best part was after the movie, my friends and I all got up and realized that this movie had actually made the four of us tear up! It's an amazing film and if Will Smith doesn't get at least an Oscar Nom.
In fact Will Smith should actually just win an Oscar for this role.

This movie shows the struggle of a common man whose true happiness lies in his family. He sacrifices his own basic needs to meet the need of his family. He works hard and tries to
get a better job to provide a better life for is wife and kid. It is a true inspiration for all those people who are struggling hard with their lives to give best to his family.… Expand
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9
Pan_KrytykMay 31, 2022
will może nie jest najlepszyum aktorem na świecie, nie on na pewno nie jest najlepszym aktorem na świecie. Jednak film jest mega.
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10
LanceFilmsOct 25, 2021
Simply fantastic. A story with arises emotions so strong and intense that you simply go beyond all the alleged imperfections that I've read in other reviews
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