The Pursuit of Happyness
The film is a real life autobiographical, rags to riches, tale of Christopher Gardner. The real Chris Gardner, who was once a homeless man with a 14 month old son living on streets and standing in line for food in shelter homes, is today a millionaire & CEO of Gardner Rich Brokerage Firm and a philanthropist, who with a humble heart volunteers for the Glide Memorial United Methodist Church that compassionately helped him survive during his homelessness. Will Smith plays the role of Chris Gardner and Will’s own son Jaden, plays the role of Chris’s son in this Columbia Pictures flick released in 2006.
The story:
Chris Gardner (Smith) has everything going against him. His wife has left him and he's raising his 5-year-old son alone, without any real income. He is doing odd jobs which hardly are of any help. Determined to provide for his son Christopher Jr (Jaden Smith) no matter what, Chris enters an unpaid internship program at a brokerage firm in hopes of getting the one paid position available at the end of the training program.
Simultaneous to his training, life for Chri & his son includes, travelling whole night on board trains, sleeping in public bathrooms, homeless shelters, and shabby hotels whenever he's get the money to afford a room. But inspite of the adversities, Chris never gives up on the idea that with his hardwork he shall reach a level in life where he would bring happiness to himself and provide his son with a better life.
The therapetic relevance of the film:
The filmmakers have artistically presented the audience with the perfect emotions that would generate empathy, compassion and inspiration through Chris’s story. The hardships of single-parenthood & homelessness have been well summarized in the film. Besides this, values regarding hardwork, resilience, education, & being responsible even in adverse situations, reflect throughout the film. The father-son bonding shown in the film has the potential to positively reinforce the audience’s mind to believe in genuine social support. The strong dialogues between the film’s characters are potential enough to positively stir a conscious mind. A special mention must be made of the scene, where the struggling Chris (Will Smith) is having a conversation with his son on the basketball court. Chris tells his son, ‘DON’T EVER ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN’T DO SOMETHING. NOT EVEN ME. ALRIGHT’. WHEN PEOPLE CAN’T DO SOMETHING THEMSELVES, THEY WANT TO TELL OTHERS THAT THEY TOO WON’T BE ABLE TO DO IT. SON, IF YOU GOT A DREAM, YOU GOT TO PROTECT IT! YOU WANT SOMETHING......GO GET IT. PERIOD!”
Original Article written by -Shraddha Sankulkar (Psychologist/Founder-Director Mind Matterz (A Psychological Guidance Unit)
Check this video for the movie’s trailer:
Want to know more about the real life Chris Gardner, on whose life the film ‘Pursuit for Happyness’ is based?
Here are videos to his interview:
Here are videos to his interview:
