The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
-
66% of critics liked it
(170 reviews) -
88% of users liked it
(511,179 ratings)
The rousing, true-life story of a single dad who went from living on the streets to owning his own brokerage firm is brought to the big screen by superstar Will Smith, appearing for the first time opposite his real-life son Jaden Smith. Set in early-'80s San Francisco, the film charts the hard… More The rousing, true-life story of a single dad who went from living on the streets to owning his own brokerage firm is brought to the big screen by superstar Will Smith, appearing for the first time opposite his real-life son Jaden Smith. Set in early-'80s San Francisco, the film charts the hard times and eventual comeback of Chris Gardner, a suddenly single salesman who has custody of his son, but finds that providing for the two of them is a challenge in the increasingly unstable economic climate. He struggles to work his way from unpaid intern at Dean Witter to something more substantial, even as life continues to offer him setbacks. Making his Hollywood debut, Italian director Gabriele Muccino was championed by Will Smith for the project. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi
- Directed By
- Gabriele Muccino
- Written By
- Steve Conrad
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Dec 15, 2006 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures
Critic Reviews
-
Mark Salisbury, Time Out
Smith hits all the right notes - understated, engaging, inspirational - even if his young son threatens to charm him off the screen.
-
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
This is Smith as you've never seen him -- an unsure, struggling, frustrated guy trying to hold together his family and failing.
-
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
As cynical as I am, I have to admit I was completely won over by Smith's sincere and deeply effective work as a guy who was knocked down again and again, but refused to stay on the canvas.
-
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
Some people will see The Pursuit of Happyness as a glorification of capitalism, but the movie is much less about 'getting' than it is about 'not having.'
-
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
The Pursuit of Happyness can't imagine anything worse than being poor. Except maybe being surrounded by poor people.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Also available on
UltraViolet Retailers
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Will Smith
as Chris Gardner
-
Jaden Smith
as Christopher
-
Thandie Newton
as Linda
-
Brian Howe
as Jay Twistle
-
James Karen
as Martin Frohm
-
Dan Castellaneta
as Alan Frakesh
-
Kurt Fuller
as Walter Ribbon
-
Takayo Fischer
as Mrs. Chu
-
Kevin West
as World's Greatest Dad
-
George Kee Cheung
as Chinese Maintenance Worker
-
Michael Silverman
as Doctor at First Hospital David
-
Domenic Bove
as Tim Ribbon
-
Geoff Callan
as Ferrari Owner
-
Raven Joyful
as Hippie Girl
-
Scott Klace
as Tim Brophy
-
Rashida Clendening
as Bus Driver
-
Eric Schniewind
as Dotors
-
Peter Fitzsimmons
as Doctors
-
Maurice Sherbanee
as Roy the Old Neighbor
-
Zuhair Haddad
as Cab Driver
-
Victor Raider-Wexler
as Landlord
-
Mark Christopher Lawrence
as Wayne
-
Darryl Fong
as Policeman
-
George Maguire (II)
as Police Clerk
-
Joseph A. Nuņez
as Driver Who Hits Chris
-
Adam Del Rio
as Shoe-Spotting Intern
-
Rocky LaRochelle
as Motel Manager
-
Erin Cahill
as Dean Witter Receptionist
-
Reuben Grundy
as Businessman
-
Ming Lo
as Young Executives
-
John Kovacevich
as Young Executives
-
Bonnie Akimoto
as Doctor's Receptionist
-
Stu Klitsner
as Dr. Strauk
-
Esther Scott
as Shelter Workers
-
Tina D'Elia
as Shelter Workers
-
Rev. Cecil Williams
as Reverend Williams
-
David Fine
as Big Guy Rodney
-
George Moffatt
as Homeless Guy In Line
-
Amir Talai
as Clerk
-
Mike Garibaldi
as Paul
-
Jason Frazier
as Young Man - Bus Fight
-
Kevin Crook
as Smug Intern
-
David Haines
as Other Young Executive
-
Jim Finnerty
as News Reporter
-
Abigail Van Alyn
as Ribbon's Receptionist
-
Bob Greene
as Doctor at Oakland Memorial Hospital
-
Robert Anthony Peters
as Glide Shelter Worker
-
Terri Orth-Pallavicini
as Secretary
-
John Robb
as Homeless Guys
-
Daniel Wilder
as Homeless Guys
-
Cathy Fithian
as Policewoman
-
Keith Stevenson
as Indian Grocery Clerk
-
Jeff Applebaum
as Dean Witter Employee
-
Victor Hoagland
as Ribbon's Associates
-
Richard Bischoff
as Ribbon's Associates
-
Edward Donlin
as Dr. Don Florio
-
Larry Hunt
as Bucket Man
-
Rose Aispuro
as Blood Center Clerk
-
Arbin C. Kumar
as Check Cashing Clerk
-
The Glide Ensemble
as Glide Singers
-
Jerry Edwards McLilly
as Smiley
-
Shareef Allman
as Prisoner
-
Jeffrey Moon
as Pizza Dad
-
Peaches Hutchinson
as Pizza Mom
-
Brandon Dadwiler
as Pizza Son
-
Tateanna Wheeler-Lezine
as Pizza Daughter
-
Karen Kahn
as Professional Woman
- George Maguire (I)








