The Pursuit of Happyness

[audiobliss]

I went and saw The Pursuit of Happyness new year's eve, and was very pleased with it. Will Smith, in my humble opinion, always does a great job, and this movie was no exception. I think the fact that the kid who played his son in the movie was actually his son added some, too. Made a lot of the emotional scenes more intense and realistic.

It was really a touching story, perhaps even more so than The Family Man, which was previously the most touching movie I had ever seen. It obsviously had a great plot to work with, a young couple with a young child falling upon hard times, dealing with relationship issues, seeking to better one's station in life, and, of course, seeking that 'happiness' which seems all too fleeting the few times it is achieved.

This movie was also surprisingly clean. I was very shocked, and in a VERY good way, about that. With the sole exception of one word (which the son saw written on a wall and asked about), I can't recall anything that should make a Christian the least bit hesitant about seeing it. A huge thumbs up there.

So, anybody else see this film yet? I'll certainly be buying (uh, well, asking Dad to buy it :D) when it comes out.

[Demiurge]

So do you think Will Smith finally got the ability to act with this movie? The theme looks compelling, and it's a true story of a guy from Milwaukee so I would like to check it out, but if he's the same old Will Smith...

This is a great man, and he's a pleasure to talk with:

[Shizelbs]

I saw it and agree 100% with everything you said, word for word. It was an outstanding movie. Both my wife and I really, really enjoyed it.

Edit: I meant to imply I agree with audio, not Demi.

[Demiurge]

I saw it and agree 100% with everything you said, word for word. It was an outstanding movie. Both my wife and I really, really enjoyed it.

Edit: I meant to imply I agree with audio, not Demi.

:p :p

[audiobliss]

So do you think Will Smith finally got the ability to act with this movie? The theme looks compelling, and it's a true story of a guy from Milwaukee so I would like to check it out, but if he's the same old Will Smith...

Well, like I said, I enjoyed all of the Will Smith movies I've seen (Bad Boys 1&2, Wild Wild West, Men in Black), so you still may not like his acting in this movie. However, I thought he did a great job playing a driven, determined man who is, overall, a very 'good' man of character who has found himself at rock bottom economically, and the movie does a great job at sharing the story of how he meets the seemingly impossible odds with hope, persistance, and often times even with a smile.

I also think it's fairly realistic, as it does show a lot of the harder times one may face, and he really does hit rock bottom, and he then recovers in a seemingly completely legitimate way, not with the aid of some magic movie producer's fairy dust. In other words, he doesn't recover from his plight the same way Rocky always comes back in his fights! :p

Even if you hate Will Smith's guts...I'd really urge you to watch it for the story it tells, because it tells an all too real story (though, admittedly, not everyone who hits rock bottom makes it back out).

It can also be a tear-jerker sometimes, so be sure to sit on the end of the row if you see it with a bunch of friends, so you can turn to the wall every now and then to wipe your eyes. :p

[bobman1235]

Will Smith is like Denzel Washington to me (and it has nothing to do with race, so don't start) - they both are really good actors, but they only play one part. Will Smith is always the wise-cracking guy, and as long as he plays that part, he's perfect. Denzel is always the intense yelling guy, and as long as he plays that part, he's perfect. So I'm skeptical of Will Smith in this type of role.

[nadams]

Will Smith is like Denzel Washington to me (and it has nothing to do with race, so don't start) - they both are really good actors, but they only play one part. Will Smith is always the wise-cracking guy, and as long as he plays that part, he's perfect. Denzel is always the intense yelling guy, and as long as he plays that part, he's perfect. So I'm skeptical of Will Smith in this type of role.

Robin Williams is like this too.

[MrNightly]

That is why Johnny Depp is my favorite actor. He flat out rocks and can play any and every type of character. A True actor in my book.

[Demiurge]

That is why Johnny Depp is my favorite actor. He flat out rocks and can play any and every type of character. A True actor in my book.

Yep, he's a fantastic actor.

[schwarcw]

So you think the movie wouldn't have worked with Snoop Dog in the lead role:D

Sounds like a good movie, it has a lot of critics buzzing. I got an Oscar feeling. Flags of Our Fathers will be the critic's favorite, but it's way too dark for me.

[Early B.]

Will Smith is like Denzel Washington to me (and it has nothing to do with race, so don't start) - they both are really good actors, but they only play one part. Will Smith is always the wise-cracking guy, and as long as he plays that part, he's perfect. Denzel is always the intense yelling guy, and as long as he plays that part, he's perfect. So I'm skeptical of Will Smith in this type of role.

Kinda describes the majority of the most popular actors in Hollywood -- Robert Deniro, Al Pacino, Julia Roberts, Gene Hackman, Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman, etc... They typically play characters that don't deviate too far from their personalities. It's what makes them so believable. And the audience expects/demands it.

[bobman1235]

Sorry Early, but I couldn't disagree more. Obviously casting is important - Tom Cruise couldn't play a part meant for an imposing black man - but what makes a good actor is something called "range". Almost everyone you've listed has at least played a couple of types of roles - from drama to comedy to action - and done well in all of them. Pacino played a blind man, a mobster, and the devil and was pretty believable as all of them. Granted he was always yelling, but they were still different characters.

Whatev, sorry for the thread derail.

[Demiurge]

De Niro is one of my favorite actors, and he certainly isn't typecast like Will Smith (used to be?). He does comedy, drama, and action with ease.

[zombie boy 2000]

Gary Oldman has never played the same role twice. He embodies "range".

From a black pimp in True Romance to a Romanian vampire to a nerdy, wiry Commisioner Jim Gordon to a dog (Beethoven) nyuk nyuk nyuk....

[DarqueKnight]

So do you think Will Smith finally got the ability to act with this movie?

I think Don Cheadle would have been a better choice to play Chris Gardner. Cheadle is a much better dramatic actor, plus he somewhat resembles Gardner. I realize that Will Smith has better name recognition and box office draw.

[wingnut4772]

Gary Oldman has never played the same role twice. He embodies "range".

From a black pimp in True Romance to a Romanian vampire to a nerdy, wiry Commisioner Jim Gordon to a dog (Beethoven) nyuk nyuk nyuk....

AMEN!

[Early B.]

I think Don Cheadle would have been a better choice to play Chris Gardner. Cheadle is a much better dramatic actor, plus he somewhat resembles Gardner. I realize that Will Smith has better name recognition and box office draw.

Well, Will Smith is no slouch when it comes to acting. I wasn't impressed with his acting skills until he played Muhammad Ali. The movie wasn't very good, but his acting was exceptional.

[Shizelbs]

You can argue that so and so is a better actor overall than Will Smith until you are blue in the face, but the fact is (well, my opinion really) Mr. Smith did a marvelous job in this particular movie.

[Demiurge]

I think Don Cheadle would have been a better choice to play Chris Gardner. Cheadle is a much better dramatic actor, plus he somewhat resembles Gardner. I realize that Will Smith has better name recognition and box office draw.

Just out of curiousity, did you see it? I haven't yet, but what's keeping me away from it is my opinion that Smith can't act very well. He may be able to prove me wrong based on some of the reviews here. I agree with you on Cheadle. He's always good.

[DarqueKnight]

Yes, I have seen the movie and plan to purchase the DVD when it becomes available.

I have never considered Will Smith a "bad" actor. I consider him an average actor with average "range" who is considerably better that a lot of the Hollywood "eye candy" that is so prevalent these days.

[HiPerf360]

The movie was Will Smiths idea......

I dont think anyone else was in the running for the lead role...

Great movie, Will Smith does not come across as the typical Will Smith in this movie.

[Early B.]

Watched it last night. Very good movie. The little kid was exceptional.

[Toxis]

damn, barely 4 months and it's already rushed to DVD. What ever happened to waiting? lol