The Pursuit of Happyness

Will Smith delivers another shining performance as he plays a rags-to-riches father in The Pursuit of Happyness. The based-on-true-events film would be one of the year's best if only it had a little more pop. Smith could receive an Oscar nomination, but it is his own son, Jaden, who steals the show.

The film revolves around a man who has nothing, save for a dream. He takes on an internship with no pay, and he strives to make ends meet. After his wife leaves him, all he has left in the world is his son. And apparently that is enough. While the film is good, there are moments that come off as almost a bit too saccharine. The film shines, however, as it blends clever splashes of humor along the difficult journey for Smith's character, Chris Gardner.

While the film certainly did leave me wanting to know a little more, it does a good job in regard to the cinematic style that has been lost today. The camerawork does not intrude on the performances. Rather, the actors are allowed to do their job - act. All in all, it's a solid outing for Smith and a pleasant surprise to see a child-actor perform well. A-.