The Pursuit of Happyness

2006, Drama, 1h 56m

176 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

Will Smith's heartfelt performance elevates The Pursuit of Happyness above mere melodrama. Read critic reviews

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The Pursuit of Happyness Videos

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Movie Info

Life is a struggle for single father Chris Gardner (Will Smith). Evicted from their apartment, he and his young son (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith) find themselves alone with no place to go. Even though Chris eventually lands a job as an intern at a prestigious brokerage firm, the position pays no money. The pair must live in shelters and endure many hardships, but Chris refuses to give in to despair as he struggles to create a better life for himself and his son.

Cast & Crew

Will Smith
Chris Gardner
Jaden Smith
Christopher
Thandiwe Newton
Linda
Brian Howe
Jay Twistle
James Karen
Martin Frohm
Dan Castellaneta
Alan Frakesh
Kurt Fuller
Walter Ribbon
Takayo Fischer
Mrs. Chu
Kevin West
World's Greatest Dad
Domenic Bove
Tim Ribbon
Scott Klace
Tim Brophy
Mark Christopher Lawrence
Wayne
Maurice Sherbanee
Roy the Old Neighbor
Gabriele Muccino
Director
Steve Conrad
Writer
Todd Black
Producer
Jason Blumenthal
Producer
Steve Tisch
Producer
James Lassiter
Producer
Will Smith
Producer
Andrea Guerra
Original Music
Phedon Papamichael
Cinematography
Hughes Winborne
Film Editing
J. Michael Riva
Production Design
Sharen Davis
Costume Design
Denise Chamian
Casting
Louis D'Esposito
Executive Producer
Mark Clayman
Executive Producer
David Alper
Executive Producer
Teddy Zee
Executive Producer
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Critic Reviews for The Pursuit of Happyness

All Critics (176) | Top Critics (55) | Fresh (118) | Rotten (58)
Full Review… Brian Tallerico UGO Full Review… Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) Full Review… Paul Arendt BBC.com Full Review… Charlotte O'Sullivan London Evening Standard Full Review… Anthony Quinn Independent (UK) Full Review… Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald Full Review… Nicholas Oon Maximum Hype (YouTube) Full Review… Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site Full Review… Matthew Lucas The Dispatch (Lexington, NC) Full Review… Kaleem Aftab The List Full Review… Joel Siegel Good Morning America Full Review… Joshua Starnes ComingSoon.net
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Audience Reviews for The Pursuit of Happyness

  • May 04, 2016
    Pretty solid. Kind of overrated I think, but still an enjoyable film with a good story.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
  • Feb 13, 2014
    I'm not terribly surprised that this was more loved by users than critics. It is the faux heart wrenching real story that still has more glamour than likely really was the case and unfortunately stars Will Smith's son. Two stars on the barfy metre.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Oct 18, 2013
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
    Directors C Super Reviewer
  • Dec 20, 2012
    Melodramatic, sad, heartfelt movie about a man never giving up and finding true happiness in life. The movie has that message of "life's hard" or "life's unfair", which is true, but how do get through it?. In all seriousness, Will Smith and Jaden Smith will break your heart and rebuild them again, they both give powerful performances and have insanely good chemistry (obviously sense in real life they are father and son). The story is incredible, the acting is superb, the emotion never stops being powerful and in one scene of the movie, when Will Smith gets the official job where he finally gets paid money for his work, he cries and says "Thank You". The message that was translated was that everything he went through, all the trouble and the bills he needed to pay, he never gave up, and all the work and studying paid off..that message was so impacting that would make me cry too, and I absolutely recommend this movie.
    Angel G Super Reviewer
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