Movie Review: The Persuit of Happyness

This movie is about a man named Chris Gardener, who starts his success with only a dream of becoming something more than he is in the city of San Francisco, California. He struggles by living paycheck to paycheck along with his girlfriend and son. Growing up not knowing his father until he was 28 years old, Chris Gardener didn't want to have his son grow up not knowing him. Always thinking of ways for a better life, Chris is a true success story everyone should watch.

The setting is in 1981 when Captain America was an absolute hero and President Reagan was in office. Chris Gardener was just a sells man selling your not so ordinary product. He sold bone density machines to hospitals. He was the only one in the bay area to sell them. These machines were like an expensive piece of luxury not needed to a hospital so they were very hard to sell. Chris Gardener had invested into a large amount of these machines so that he could make something more of his life. What he didn't expect was that they were a pain to get rid of.

He struggled to sell these machines and while selling them went into debt with traffic tickets, late rent, and other bills. His girlfriend had to work double shifts just to help out with late payments and bills. Their son, who went to daycare, was about five years old at the time. The word "Happyness" comes in as Chris always past the word while taking his son to daycare. This word shows up throughout the movie. It is has a significant and profound meaning which will burn into the movie viewers mind.

Chris Gardener "pursues" his dream of "happyness" when he sees a shiny red flashy car being parked on the side of the street by a stock broker. Chris asks the broker "You probably need an education to get that kind of job" and the stock broker says "No education needed, just good with numbers". Chris then gets the nerve to apply his skills with numbers to this dream. Back at home, he tells his girlfriend that he applied as a stock broker. She thinks of it as impossible and has no encouragement for him. She only sees late rent, traffic tickets, taxes, and bills piling up. Where as, Chris focuses on a better life.

His girlfriend moves out. Chris takes his son and provides for this five year old. Chris goes to jail for traffic tickets, but doesn't miss an appointment with becoming a stock broker. He even loses his rental, ends up sleeping in a public bathroom, and at a homeless shelter with his son in tow. But, Chris strives to get this dream job. It is a marvelous story that will make you cry, even at the very end. It will touch your heart and make you want to achieve your dreams of a better life than what you settled for. Success can happen, if you focus on your dream. Pursue your happyness whatever it may be.