The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
What else, if not the pursuit?
Presentation:
Say what you may about Will Smith, he is a fantastic star for a drama. This touching drama when Jaden was still a child is one of Smith’s best performances. The film is grounded in such a painstaking way by not sugarcoating the difficulties along the way. If you’ve ever been unemployed or down on your luck, this film should tug at the heartstrings. Thandiwe Newton plays off Will Smith so well as both understandable, resentful and convincingly frustrated. It may be hard to divorce his performance from the infamous Oscar slap, but if you can it’s one of the best alongside King Richard.
Conclusion:
This is such a moving film with a roller coaster of emotions. There are so many unfortunate setbacks that it begins to feel like a survivor film, and you can’t imagine how their lives get lower. I love how it never promises anything and even when he catches a break it doesn’t necessarily lead to anything. And that’s the beauty of it. Is the American Dream still alive in 2025 when many are even anti-American? Well this film inspires you to believe and uphold it even if it feels more like the pursuit of survival these days. Other films about financial struggle might technically do it better like 12th Fail or be more explosive like Uncut Gems, but there’s unmatched emotional magic here. There may be no why in happiness but there is in the pursuit.
Recommendations
Chalamet and friends ping-pong into chaos.