The Pursuit of Happyness

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The Pursuit of Happyness

PG-13

Released Dec 15, 2006

1h 56m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

175 Reviews

87%

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250,000+ Ratings

A single father and his young son endure many hardships as the father strives to provide a better future for both of them.

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Critics Consensus

Will Smith's heartfelt performance elevates The Pursuit of Happyness above mere melodrama.

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

In an effort to make a crowd-pleasing film, the horrors that Gardner must have experienced on the streets feel glossed over by the Hollywood machine.

Mar 24, 2007

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Tim Robey

Daily Telegraph (UK)

We may wonder if happiness can be bought this way, and whether the film being sold to us isn't a slightly suspect package, but Smith, sublime and moving, sells it regardless.

Jan 17, 2007

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Paul Arendt

BBC.com

Deserves kudos for avoiding saccharine sentiment, but its relentless emphasis on money as the cure for all ills is depressing. They might as well have called it The Pursuit of Richyness.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 14, 2007

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Nicholas Oon

Maximum Hype (YouTube)

It is Will Smith's lead performance in this that really stole the show and won me over. It really elevated this movie.

Rated: 7.5/10

Sep 4, 2021

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Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

The Pursuit of Happyness reveals the soul-wasting nature of poverty and the lack of prospects for those condemned to economic oblivion.

Sep 2, 2020

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Mattie Lucas

The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)

Will Smith can carry a film. And carry it he does, because without him, Happyness would founder in its own schmaltz.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 6, 2019

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CHRISTOPHER B

Una película icónica de Will Smith, llegas a sentir todo lo que Chris llega a vivir, y te hace pensar en todos los privilegios que tienes día a día y la vida que llevas. Me encantó todo y ese final hace llorar a cualquiera que la vea. Lo que sin duda más impresiona es que está basada en hechos reales dejando tremendo mensaje para todos.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/23/24

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Audience Member

This part of my life, this part right here, this part is called ''being stupid''. - Chris Gardner

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/21/24

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Stijn H

Hoge hype maar kon me toch niet echt raken. Verhaal is mooi en heeft betekenis, maar wel eentonig. Worth a Watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/22/24

Full Review

Audience Member

The Pursuit of Happyness brings a real and evoking message to the audience. The theme is not that money brings happiness, but that the struggle to live in a modern society is a curse many can't escape. It is accurate to our own world, where it does not matter if you are educated and determined, you can still receive the short end of the stick. We have taxes, fines, and tickets, all that constantly drain the cash of the middle and lower class. The film encompasses one's will to pursue happiness and their right to live comfortably, despite unfair and tragic events that occur. Happiness can not be bought, happiness can not be owned. To have happiness in life, you must always be in pursuit of it. That is what happiness is, not what you own or control, but happiness is the ability to overcome challenge and always pursue it, to never give in or give up. Truly a fantastic film about family, society, emotions, and willpower.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/16/24

Full Review

Rodrigo C

I love this movie and it shows money cannot be used for your self and you can use it help your family

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/07/24

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Rare T

This is such a capitalist movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

Full Review

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Gabriele Muccino

Director

Will Smith

Chris Gardner

Jaden Smith

Christopher

Thandiwe Newton

Linda

Brian Howe

Jay Twistle

James Karen

Martin Frohm

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The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - Basketball and Dreams

1:46

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - Final Scene: Chris is Hired

2:11

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - The Time Machine

2:13

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - Rubik's Cube

2:13

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - First Impression

2:05

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - Cold Calling

1:57

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - Running

1:59

The Pursuit of Happyness: Official Clip - No Y in Happiness

1:15

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Synopsis

A single father and his young son endure many hardships as the father strives to provide a better future for both of them.

Director: Gabriele Muccino
Producer: Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, James Lassiter, Will Smith
Screenwriter: Steve Conrad
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Production Co: Overbrook Entertainment, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Escape Artists
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 15, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $162.6M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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