Not a single multi-millionaire has tasted success overnight. Most of them have surpassed hardships and challenges with nothing but willpower. The Pursuit of Happyness is a movie about the real story of Chris Gardner – a San Francisco entrepreneur who made it from a salesperson to a millionaire. Welcome back to another episode of Movies For Entrepreneurs.
Chris puts his life savings into portable bone density scanners and tries to sell them, but his growing financial turmoil cripples him. His wife leaves Chris who is on the brink of disaster. Chris struggles to look after his 5-year-old son and lead his life. Dwindling savings quickly result in an eviction from their apartment. The father and son then stay in city shelters on good nights and in public restrooms on the worst.
A chance meeting with Jay Twistle gets Chris Gardner a coveted internship at J’s brokerage firm Dean Witter. A day before his interview, Chris agrees to paint his apartment so as to postpone paying the rent. While painting, he is greeted by the police who brings him to the station for the parking tickets he has accumulated. Chris is ordered to spend the night in jail. It is from the jail that he has to attend the interview scheduled for the next morning.
Chris takes up the unpaid internship, knowing very well the hardships that come along. On the day he completes his internship, Chris is called into a meeting. One of his managers on the board notices that he is wearing a new shirt. Chris tells that is is his last day and thought to dress for the occasion. The manager smiles and says he should wear another new one tomorrow, letting him know that he has won the coveted full-time position.
Pursuit of Happyness ends in an emotionally wrenching note. An emotional Chris is seen walking out of the company, saying “This part of my life is called happiness”.
Director Gabriele Muccino surprises the viewers when the real Chris Gardner makes an appearance at the last scene as a wealthy businessman in a suit who walks past the reel life Chris Gardner and son.
Director Gabriele Muccino was an Italian. Though the language barrier threw a few challenges at him, the accomplished director along with actor Will Smith makes it a great movie to watch for and an experience by itself. The chemistry between the father-son pair onscreen is enhanced by the fact that Will Smith’s son, Jaden, portrays his son’s role. Jaden was seen again in Jackie Chan-starrer ‘Karate Kid’. The emotion and struggles of a successful entrepreneur are realistically depicted in the movie and that makes ‘Pursuit of Happyness’ a must-watch for entrepreneurs.
