Length: 117 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta, and Kurt Fuller.

Most people spend their lives collecting the Almighty dollar bill; for Christopher Gardner (played by Will Smith), just having a dollar would be nice. The Pursuit of Happyness is a poignant tale of a young father struggling to take care of his five-year old son after his marriage falls apart due to money problems. The movie balances tears and humor as Christopher frantically scrambles to a prominent internship for a broker firm dressed in paint-splattered clothes and a jacket that stubbornly won’t zip. In spite of his appearance, Christopher’s vibrant personality lands him the coveted internship.

However, there is one major hitch, the internship is a six-month program with no pay, and only the best intern will get a job at the end of those six months. With no money, Christopher is soon put out of his apartment, and he and his son are forced to spend the night in a subway bathroom. Against the odds, Christopher fights to make a better life for his family—even if that includes being chased by angry cab drivers and racing to work with a shoe missing.

The film gives an unflinching insight into the lives of those struggling to climb the American ladder of success from the bottom rung. It also portrays the bond between a father and son who hold on to each other while their world falls apart in unpredictable ways. The Pursuit of Happyness is a gripping film that will make you think about why you are happy, and what the true meaning of happiness is really all about.

The PG-13 rating of the film is due to some language, scenes of homelessness, and one scene between Christopher and his estranged wife. For these reasons, I would not recommend that young children see this movie. Overall, the film is well worth watching, and is perfect for a family with older teenagers.

Oh, and bring a tissue with you. If you’re like me, you’ll probably need one.

Bio: Lydia Rule has been published in NextStep magazine, The Torch, Aboite Independent, Long Story Short, Fundsforwriters, Acceleration, Around the Bloc,
CollegePlus, and Real Teen Faith. She is currently working on her fifth novel as
well as a variety of other writing projects.