Countdown to The Pursuit of Happyness

Countdown to “The Pursuit of Happyness”

This heart-warming drama will be hitting theaters on December 15^th. Here are a few interesting tidbits about “The Pursuit of Happyness” that you may want to know before seeing the movie.

Is this a true story or based on a book?

Both. Chris Gardner wrote the book that’s based on different periods in his life. Although the movie only focuses on what happened to him during his internship at Dean Witter, the book additionally tells of his volatile upbringing in Milwaukee including the positive influence of his mother, Bettye Jean, and the mostly violent, abusive behavior of his step-father, Freddie. Gardner also talks about his stint in the Navy, his settling in San Francisco and the relationship with Jackie, his girlfriend and mother of Christopher. The book also talks about what has happened in his life in the years since the internship.

What is the movie about?

In 1981 Chris Gardner finds himself near San Francisco and on the verge of making a career change when he leaves his job selling medical equipment and takes part in an internship for Dean Witter. His plans go awry when he suddenly finds himself homeless after his girlfriend packs up their young son and all of their belongings and disappears. Still determined to be successful in the internship, Gardner does the best he can to get ahead at work while crashing at friends’ homes, sleeping under his desk and eventually staying at a rooming house. Things seem to spiral downward when Gardner’s girlfriend arrives and leaves their son, Christopher, who is not quite two-years-old, with him. Gardner becomes more determined than ever while trying to figure out where their next meal will come from as well as finding a place to stay for the night. At times this results in the two of them sleeping in a shelter, a public restroom or even outside in a park.

Why is it spelled “happyness”?

Chris Gardner sees a painting in a San Francisco daycare center with the word “happiness” spelled “happyness”. Gardner, a person who always strives to make things right, talks to the lady who operates the center about the misspelling. As the lady soon points out, as long as the children are happy, it doesn’t really matter how the word is spelled.

Who is in the cast?

Will Smith (“Independence Day”, “Ali”) plays the role of Christopher Gardner, who’s in his mid to late 20’s during the time of the film.

Jaden Smith, Will’s real life son also plays his young son Christopher in the film. This is his first appearance on the big screen.

Thandie Newton (“Crash”) plays Christopher’s girlfriend, Linda (Jackie in the book), in “The Pursuit of Happyness”.

Chris Gardner makes a cameo appearance in the film.

Is there Oscar buzz?

It’s never too early to think about Academy Award contenders. While “The Pursuit of Happyness” has generated some mild buzz as a possible “Best Picture” nominee, it’s the light-hearted, dramatic and heart wrenching mix of Will Smith’s performance that seems to make him a “shoe in” as one of the top five nominees for “Best Actor”.

“The Pursuit of Happyness” runs 117 minutes and is rated PG-13 for mild language.

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