The Pursuit of Happyness

In the quest to use up free movie coupons, we went and watched The Pursuit of Happyness last night. First off, Will Smith does an awesome job in this film. It is pretty amazing to think back to the Fresh Prince and then think about this film and see the progression of this guy's career. If you are thinking of going to see this movie, know that the film is depressing but really good. Don't go in thinking that it is the feel good movie of the year or has more lines of comedy than you would see in the trailer.

Will Smith plays a man who is down and out on his luck, in a rocky marriage and raising a 5 year old boy. The film spans a period where things just keep getting worse for the main character and throughout the entire movie, events (and his own behavior) keep conspiring against him. What's really great about the film is the relationship between the father and the son and how this relationship provides the strength and inspiration for each to get through the really tough times. Smith acts as a narrator throughout the movie, interjecting mini-chapter headings to his life. These are a nice touch to the film and I see him being the potential heir to Morgan Freeman. Will Smith's actual son plays the boy in the film and does a really good job as well.

Overall, the movie was good. I was a little unprepared for how overwhelmingly sad the majority of the movie was. If that had not been the case, I might be saying that it was great.