Will Smith breaks out in ‘Pursuit of Happyness’
By Kenya Vaughn
Of the St. Louis American
There is no denying Will Smith’s acting skills, but with the exception of a few films he tends to rely on action as well as his wit and comedic timing to carry him until the credits roll.
But in Pursuit of Happyness he lands into the hearts of viewers without his safety net of funny. Smith plays Christopher Gardner in the rags to dirty rags to filthy riches story of a man struggling to balance a leap-of-faith career move and single parenthood.
Smith’s Gardener is one of the better male leads (and probably the best among actors of color) this year. And he can thank Pursuit of Happyness director Gabriele Muccino for snatching the funny rug from under him in order to illustrate his depth as an actor.
Screenwriter Steven Conrad has produced a well-crafted story. There is just enough to keep audiences interested, yet Muccino’s direction keeps it light enough to make sure that audiences won’t jump off of their red plush chairs and end it all.
And the road-less-traveled approach to Gardner’s story was also a delight. A typical Hollywood take on this biography would primarily focus on the happily-ever-after. Will would be sitting in a 20,000 square foot home with gritty flashbacks to the bad old days with ultimate rewards and the fruits of labor the spotlight to remind the viewers that the hero has indeed arrived.
But Pursuit of Happyness is truly about the journey. The length and the potholes along the way trump the light at the end of the tunnel. The destination is sacrificed to show the sacrifices that are in most cases mandatory and a catalyst for achievement.
The film also sheds light on a rarely featured phenomena within the film industry, and that is the love story between a father and son coupled with the plight of a single father.
Smith’s Gardner is unlike any other role he has played. Ali was serious, but Ali’s iconic persona offered a blueprint. For Pursuit, Smith had to fill in the blanks with his own sensitivity and vulnerability so that audiences could get a genuine idea of what Gardner was feeling in the deepest pit of poverty.
Smith’s real-life son Jaden Christopher Syre Smith plays his son in the movie. It was obvious from early on in the film that the boy received huge portions from both of his parents’ acting chops (the boy’s mother is actress Jada Pinkett Smith).
Thandie Newton is believable as Smith’s on-camera wife and part-time dream killer whose lack of vision forces the father and son team to make a go of it on their own.
It would have been nice to see something other than extreme wealth to be the catalyst for one man’s struggle. But that would not have been Gardner’s story. Despite the ulterior motives of the subject, the film manages to remain inspiring. Pursuit challenges its viewers to count their blessings while striving for something greater.
Pursuit of Happyness is now in theatres. The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 116 minutes.
