The Pursuit of Happyness (PG-13)
Mike:
Scott:
Scott: Tonight we are reviewing The Pursuit of Happyness
, a story about drive and determination and one man's desire to change his life for the better, not matter the adversity.
What did you think Mike?
Mike: I was psyched when I saw the trailers. We saw the movie and then not so much. I thought the acting was great, but the movie is hard to sit through.
And you?
Scott: It was really incredible what Chris Gardner (Will Smith) accomplished. It's too bad that the movie about that accomplishment isn't that great.
Mike: The guy is definitely someone to be admired, but it's hard to watch someone struggle for so long. The movie is well done, but its just missing something.
Scott: Gardner is a salesman for a product that no one wants. His wife leaves him, he can't sell anything and he and his son end up on the street. He manages to get a spot in an unpaid internship at Dean Witter. He only needs to make it 6 months without income to get a chance to work for Dean Witter for a salary.
Mike: Six months without income and he is already in the hole when he starts out. He is a smart guy who wants to make something of himself, but he has to fight against the situation he is in.
Scott: The movie spends an inordinate amount of time on all of the bad things that happen to him. It's really overwhelming just to witness.
Mike: In some respects it reminds me of World Trade Center. You know that someone really went through these hardships, but that doesn't make it any easier to watch.
Scott: It's actually depressing to watch this movie. I was wondering what I would do in his shoes; if I could manage the way he did. He certainly had a ton of drive.
Mike: The man is impressive. He keeps his chin up through things that would force most people to give up. Added to this he is determined to be with his son, even when his wife leaves him.
Scott: The elder Smith was very good in this. So good, that I would forget who he was and thought that he really was the character he was playing. That normally doesn't happen.
Mike: Will Smith proves that he is not just a comedian, rapper or an action star, but an honest to goodness actor.
As good as he is, the actor that really impressed me was Jaden Smith. Jaden is Will's real life son and plays his onscreen son Christopher.
Scott: Jaden proved that young children can act. He is only 8 years old and he nailed the part.
Mike: What I would call a natural.
Scott: Very much so. We could have used him as a young Anakin in Star Wars.
Thandie Newton shows up as Chris's wife Linda. She is great as the exhausted mother and wife who has just had too much. You see some shots from earlier times when they were happy and there is a big difference from then to now.
Mike: Her character is so tired and bitter that you kind of hate her, but I guess that’s the sign of a good actress.
There are quite a few character actors throughout the movie that you recognize without really knowing who they are.
Scott: Jay Twistle (Brian Howe), Martin Frohm (James Karen) and Alan Frakesh (Dan Castellaneta) are three people we meet at Dean Witter.
Mike: For those who don't know Castellaneta is the voice of Homer Simpson.
DOH!
Scott: Karen looks remarkable for his age, he is 84 years young!
Mike: More trivia, he was mostly cut out, but appears in a few scenes as Martha Kent's friend in Superman Returns.
There are a few humorous scenes in the movie, especially his interview at Dean Witter. I would have liked to see some more humor to help the audience cope with the dourness of the film.
Scott: There is some humor throughout the movie as you see the trials Gardner goes through in his attempt to sell the unsellable machines.
This is the first movie I have seen of director Gabriele Muccino.
Mike: It looks like this is Muccino's first American film.
Scott: The movie is uneven. You are brought so low for most of the movie, that it's just about impossible to make it back up.
Mike: Unfortunately, the payoff doesn't seem to be worth the 2 hours you spend getting there.
Scott: Yes, it really doesn't. I wish they would have added about 10 more minutes of positive things to the end of the movie. Please make me feel good when I leave your movie!
Mike: Especially if it is supposed to be a "feel good" movie.
How do you rate this?
Scott: I give this a 2 overall and a 3 for a drama. Maybe we should create a category for depressing drama, it would be a 5!
And you?
Mike: I give this a 2.5 overall and a 3 for drama. The acting is what saves this movie, but how many people want to go to a movie, just for the acting?
Scott: I agree.
Mike: You may find that you are still pursuing happiness after this film is over.
