The Pursuit of Happyness
A struggling salesman risks homelessness while pursuing a demanding stockbroker internship and protecting his young son.
Overview
A father's relentless pursuit of a better life for his son amidst adversity and homelessness.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- sincere
- grounded
- tense
- inspirational movie night
- family drama evening
What critics said
Critics generally found the film emotionally effective because Will Smith’s heartfelt performance and the story’s honest depiction of repeated hardship elevate a conventional inspirational drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Chris Gardner endures homelessness, unpaid training, and failed product sales while pursuing a stockbroker position.
Chris remains responsible for Christopher while they lose their home and depend on temporary shelters.
The story emphasizes repeated setbacks, missed opportunities, and incremental victories rather than an easy triumph.
Gardner’s pursuit of financial security and professional status is framed through work, competition, and self-reliance.
Films like The Pursuit of Happyness, and why
Erin Brockovich
shared biographical drama, economic hardship, determined single-parent protagonist, and uplifting perseverance
Rocky
shared inspirational drama, working-class struggle, family responsibility, and pursuit of professional advancement
Molly's Game
shared true-story drama, poverty, parental devotion, and an emotionally direct success narrative
Movie Details
- Director
- Gabriele Muccino
- Release Date
- 2006-12-14
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (10893)
Cast
- Will Smith
- Jaden Smith
- Thandiwe Newton
- Brian Howe
- James Karen
- Dan Castellaneta
- Kurt Fuller
- Takayo Fischer
- Kevin West
- George Cheung
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Angel Studios
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Pursuit of Happyness about?
- A struggling salesman risks homelessness while pursuing a demanding stockbroker internship and protecting his young son.
- What is The Pursuit of Happyness like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Pursuit of Happyness as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Pursuit of Happyness violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Pursuit of Happyness.
- What did critics think of The Pursuit of Happyness?
- Critics generally found the film emotionally effective because Will Smith’s heartfelt performance and the story’s honest depiction of repeated hardship elevate a conventional inspirational drama.
- Which films are like The Pursuit of Happyness?
- Films with a similar feel include Erin Brockovich, Rocky, and Molly's Game.
- How long is The Pursuit of Happyness?
- The Pursuit of Happyness runs 117 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Pursuit of Happyness?
- In United States, The Pursuit of Happyness streams on Angel Studios.
