Comments on: The Pursuit of Happyness (PG-13) http://truthoncinema.com/review/the-pursuit-of-happyness/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-pursuit-of-happyness your personal road map to what's going on in Hollywood Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:19:15 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Claire Moviepilot http://truthoncinema.com/review/the-pursuit-of-happyness/comment-page-1/#comment-6007 Claire Moviepilot Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:54:57 +0000 http://truthoncinema.com/2008/02/drama/the-pursuit-of-happyness/#comment-6007 I usually do not like Will Smith but this movie is just totally different from any of his usual action movies missing emotion. The Pursuit of Happyness is full of emotion, and it portrays the reality of so many people in such a real way (very different from usual "poor-minorities-in-america movies"), it doesn't feel forced, exagerated or over-played. I think the whole point in not getting celebration time is that this is not the usual hollywood everything-will-be-alright movie with the music and the sunset, it makes you think about the people that don't get that chance in the end, as you say Vivian, and also that it's not over, his life and hard work continues. The only thing i was a bit sceptical about was that it is a very American point of view in that if you work hard enough, you will find happiness (sorry i am European and we don't always believe that work is the centre of success, or at least we have different difinitions of success). That is the only downpoint of the movie, but otherwise i think the message is solid and many people should see this movie to open their eyes a little bit. Good review, thanks! I usually do not like Will Smith but this movie is just totally different from any of his usual action movies missing emotion.
The Pursuit of Happyness is full of emotion, and it portrays the reality of so many people in such a real way (very different from usual “poor-minorities-in-america movies”), it doesn’t feel forced, exagerated or over-played.
I think the whole point in not getting celebration time is that this is not the usual hollywood everything-will-be-alright movie with the music and the sunset, it makes you think about the people that don’t get that chance in the end, as you say Vivian, and also that it’s not over, his life and hard work continues.
The only thing i was a bit sceptical about was that it is a very American point of view in that if you work hard enough, you will find happiness (sorry i am European and we don’t always believe that work is the centre of success, or at least we have different difinitions of success). That is the only downpoint of the movie, but otherwise i think the message is solid and many people should see this movie to open their eyes a little bit.
Good review, thanks!

]]> By: Matt Algren http://truthoncinema.com/review/the-pursuit-of-happyness/comment-page-1/#comment-169 Matt Algren Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:19:59 +0000 http://truthoncinema.com/2008/02/drama/the-pursuit-of-happyness/#comment-169 I totally agree with you on the amount of celebration. We got 1:50 of dark and depressing and (less than) ten minutes of payoff. Not nearly enough for me. I also took issue with the way Chris got ahead. That is, dishonestly. That Jaden Smith, though. He's a cutie. I totally agree with you on the amount of celebration. We got 1:50 of dark and depressing and (less than) ten minutes of payoff. Not nearly enough for me.

I also took issue with the way Chris got ahead. That is, dishonestly.

That Jaden Smith, though. He’s a cutie.

]]> By: Vivian(the wife) http://truthoncinema.com/review/the-pursuit-of-happyness/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Vivian(the wife) Sun, 02 Mar 2008 23:36:46 +0000 http://truthoncinema.com/2008/02/drama/the-pursuit-of-happyness/#comment-36 Great review! I felt glad that Chris got the job, but I felt sad still for all the other homeless or jobless people who's stories weren't ok in the end. You forgot to include a spoiler warning at the end, hope no one read this that hadn't seen it yet! Great review! I felt glad that Chris got the job, but I felt sad still for all the other homeless or jobless people who’s stories weren’t ok in the end. You forgot to include a spoiler warning at the end, hope no one read this that hadn’t seen it yet!

]]> By: Scotto http://truthoncinema.com/review/the-pursuit-of-happyness/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Scotto Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:36:59 +0000 http://truthoncinema.com/2008/02/drama/the-pursuit-of-happyness/#comment-31 Agreed. I think that more people need that encouragement! I know I do! Agreed. I think that more people need that encouragement! I know I do!

]]> By: Dan http://truthoncinema.com/review/the-pursuit-of-happyness/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Dan Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:43:52 +0000 http://truthoncinema.com/2008/02/drama/the-pursuit-of-happyness/#comment-24 What an excellent point Scotto! As I sat and watched this movie, I was picturing how I would be a father. The sacrifice, the consistency of discipline and teachings, the humility...man, that's the kind of parenting we need modeled. Not the Jessica Simpson-parenting or the Lindsay Lohan-type parenting that's splashed all over the news...that's not what I want my kids to see. I love when Will Smith realizes that he just gave his son canned cliche advice on the basketball court about not playing too much and studying more, and the way he just humbly reverses direction and tells his son to never let anyone tell you that you can't do something! What an excellent point Scotto! As I sat and watched this movie, I was picturing how I would be a father. The sacrifice, the consistency of discipline and teachings, the humility…man, that’s the kind of parenting we need modeled. Not the Jessica Simpson-parenting or the Lindsay Lohan-type parenting that’s splashed all over the news…that’s not what I want my kids to see.

I love when Will Smith realizes that he just gave his son canned cliche advice on the basketball court about not playing too much and studying more, and the way he just humbly reverses direction and tells his son to never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something!

]]> By: Scotto http://truthoncinema.com/review/the-pursuit-of-happyness/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Scotto Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:21:53 +0000 http://truthoncinema.com/2008/02/drama/the-pursuit-of-happyness/#comment-23 I too drained so much emotion just watching this movie. I really questioned..."Does stuff like this really happen to people?" I was challenged as a father to care for my children the way that Will Smith's character cared for his son. I think that having Jaden portray the man's son made this movie. I think that brought out the emotional side for Will Smith. I mean we all say that we would do anything for our kids, but would we? Could I or anything go through what that man did and be able to smile when our son comes around? Would I have the perseverance to endure the long hours, lack of a paycheck, and the responsibilities of parenthood. It's easy "yes" when I have a paycheck, a good job, and kids that have things to do during the day. I think that Hollywood needs to make more "real life" movies. Some of the movies are too fantasy or too far-fetched. I believe that people need to be taught that when times get tough...dont give up! Keep working, keep fighting...and good things will happen! Dont get me wrong...I still want the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and movies that make us dream, but more real life movies without over the top politics or religious opinions would be a nice treat. And FYI, if your spouse is away...dont watch this by yourself! My wife was out of the country and all of my thoughts began.."if she dies or gets stranded, this could become my life." That thought made me cry! I too drained so much emotion just watching this movie. I really questioned…”Does stuff like this really happen to people?”

I was challenged as a father to care for my children the way that Will Smith’s character cared for his son. I think that having Jaden portray the man’s son made this movie. I think that brought out the emotional side for Will Smith. I mean we all say that we would do anything for our kids, but would we? Could I or anything go through what that man did and be able to smile when our son comes around? Would I have the perseverance to endure the long hours, lack of a paycheck, and the responsibilities of parenthood. It’s easy “yes” when I have a paycheck, a good job, and kids that have things to do during the day.

I think that Hollywood needs to make more “real life” movies. Some of the movies are too fantasy or too far-fetched. I believe that people need to be taught that when times get tough…dont give up! Keep working, keep fighting…and good things will happen!

Dont get me wrong…I still want the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and movies that make us dream, but more real life movies without over the top politics or religious opinions would be a nice treat.

And FYI, if your spouse is away…dont watch this by yourself! My wife was out of the country and all of my thoughts began..”if she dies or gets stranded, this could become my life.” That thought made me cry!

]]> By: Dan http://truthoncinema.com/review/the-pursuit-of-happyness/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Dan Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:59:36 +0000 http://truthoncinema.com/2008/02/drama/the-pursuit-of-happyness/#comment-21 I agree, anything that he does, I'm usually interested in right away. There's something about the value of the movie that he does that's intriguing. (let's not count wild wild west) I agree, anything that he does, I’m usually interested in right away. There’s something about the value of the movie that he does that’s intriguing.

(let’s not count wild wild west)

]]> By: Donna http://truthoncinema.com/review/the-pursuit-of-happyness/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Donna Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:01:25 +0000 http://truthoncinema.com/2008/02/drama/the-pursuit-of-happyness/#comment-20 We both love Will Smith also. But we are so used to his action-packed movies we were unsure of this character-driven movie. I agree it was very emotional in a sad way until the very end and you are right, there isn't much time to celebrate it. I immediately went on the computer to look up the main character though as it got me interested in him and his life so that was kinda cool. Will Smith is one of a few actors that I will go to a movie because he is in it!!! We both love Will Smith also. But we are so used to his action-packed movies we were unsure of this character-driven movie. I agree it was very emotional in a sad way until the very end and you are right, there isn’t much time to celebrate it. I immediately went on the computer to look up the main character though as it got me interested in him and his life so that was kinda cool. Will Smith is one of a few actors that I will go to a movie because he is in it!!!

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