This movie is based on the life of Chris Gardner, a once-homeless single father, and his son, Christopher, and the hardships they endured during Gardner’s pursuit of a better life.

The word “Happyness” in the title has been taken from the misspelling of “Fun Joy Happyness” on a mural children have painted on the Chinatown daycare center where Gardner takes his son. When he points out the mistake, Mrs. Chu, played by Takayo Fischer, replies the pre-schoolers don’t care how the word is spelled, only that they have happiness.

This leads Gardner and his son on their journey. We know where the movie is going, and it could be just another fairy tale, but the difficulties Gardner and Christopher experience are not the stuff of fantasy, but feel like real things happening to real people.

Will Smith did a great job playing the role of Gardner and Smith’s real life son, Jaden played the part of his son, Christopher. He also did a good job of acting.

Supporting roles were Linda played by Thandie Newton, Jay Twistle played by Brian Howe, Alan Frakesh played by Dan Castellaneta and the cab driver played by Zuhair Haddad. They also made the roles believable.

This movie was both heart warming and heart wrenching, with scenes of happiness and profound sadness. This movie gave me a sense of thankfulness that I have not had to endure such conditions in my life. It also made me reflect on those around me who have had to face similar difficulties and left me with a feeling of compassion for them.

The movie believes in the adage that if a person truly wants to succeed in life he or she can, but that person must be prepared for the pitfalls on the road to success.

“The Pursuit of Happyness” is rated PG-13, directed by Gabriele Muccino and produced by David Alper, Teddy Zee, Mark Clayman

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Jessica Wright is a senior at Pendleton High School.