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| Movie Review: Pursuit of Happyness Alternate Title: When life gives you lemons.....
Story: It took longer than normal
for me to write this review because I had to peel all of the sappy residue
from my body in order to write an honest review. How many ways can you tell the tale of a down and out guy who tries
to lift himself by his bootstraps to feed his family? This film manages
to tell all of them in just about two hours. Our 1981 hero, based on the true life story of Chris Gardner,
finds himself as a salesman with a bone density product machine that
no one wants to buy, a wife that loses hope and leaves him, a five year
old son who needs him and who he adores. Our hero is out of hope, out
of money, out of luck. We watch episodically, as he goes from one trauma to another, in his
efforts to catch the dream of the good life. He becomes an intern at
Dean Witter. Life is tough as we learn that over and over and over and
over and yes, over again. Did I mention that Will Smith does an absolutely
unneeded narration during this very self explanatory film? The film is depressing, long, repetitive, grinding, cloying, mawkish
and draining. Other than that...it is fine. If you like feel good films,
this is not for you because the feel good part only comes in the last
five minutes. First time Italian director Gabriele Muccino
sucks the life out of this rags to riches film. There is no end to the
drama from one scene to the next. There is no humor, no humanity and
no relief for the movie-goer. Stay away! Acting: Will Smith is better in films
when he has his swagger and attitude. I got tired very quickly of his
expressionless, emotionless countenance and longed for his usual attitude.
His real life son, Jaden, is cute as a button but,
so what? What floppy haired, toothy, five year old is not cute? Predilection: None Critters: A golden retriever
Food: Burgers, fries and cereal. Blatant Product Placement: Dean Witter and Sony
Soundtrack: When 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' started
playing I eye-rolled and gave up.
Theater Audience: About ten silent folk and me.
Weather: The usual San Francisco variation in climate. Sappy Factor: 5
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I looked at my watch for the first time
at exactly 45 minutes. Not a good sign.
Predictability Level: Over the top
Tissue Usage: You would have to have a heart of stone
not to at least get a little teary eyed at the finale.
Oscar Worthy: A very loud NO
Big Screen or Rental: Neither
Length: A tad under two hours but it seemed much
longer.
LOBO HOWLS: 3
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