Looking for happiness

In 2001, superstar Will Smith fell short of an Oscar for his performance in “Ali” as legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Fast-forward 5 years, and Big Willie may finally get some of the recognition he seeks in “The Pursuit of Happyness,” a true story about a man who went from living on the streets to running his own multi-million dollar stock brokerage firm. Will Smith stars as Christopher Gardner in this testament to the triumph of the human spirit.

Although the real Gardner has endured a lifetime of ongoing struggles, including abuse, “Pursuit” picks up at the period in Gardner’s life when he decided to pursue an unpaid brokerage internship. His wife Linda (played by Thandie Newton) worked double shifts to make up for his failed businesses and her lack of money. Tired of being disappointed and broke, she leaves behind Christopher and his 5-year-old son (played by Jaden Syre, Christopher Smith-Will’s 8-year-old son). Unbeknownst to his fellow trainees and supervisors, Christopher jumps from a motel to a bathroom and then to a shelter, all the while attracting numerous clients for the company.

The film offers an honest look at the plight of the homeless in the United States from the perspective of someone who was determined to make a better life for himself and his son, yet somehow you get the sense that something is missing. . And, in truth, it is. The references and memories of Gardner’s troubled youth would have given a more holistic view of this man’s character. In general, the film is a solid confirmation that everything is possible with perseverance and hard work.