Review: How to Achieve Success and Stay a Good Father - The Way of Chris Gardner
← Book Review: Bad Science by Ben Goldacre Is a Chance to Understand a Worth of Knowledge | The Class movie → |
1980. There are posters across San Francisco with brightly smiling young Robert De Niro, but this is not the case of importance for the main character. Chris Gardner (Will Smith), a victim of Reaganomics, has invested all his savings in bone-density scanners – devices that are useless and not required by any hospital, and now he needs to carry them around the city hospitals all day. At home, only his wife’s reproaches (Thandie Newton) and silent resentment in the eyes of his five-year-old son (Jaden Smith), who dreams of a basketball ball, are waiting for Chris. Once having met a classmate on Ferrari and recognizing that the car was bought on the money earned in the brokerage firm, Gardner recalls that he was good at math at school and decides to learn to be a broker. Nevertheless, his wife does not believe in him, the homeowner asks to pay the rent and, in the end, the lack of money makes Chris walk around the city with scanners at his neck and a son under his arm (Smith, & Muccino, 2006). This story may seem usual and banal, especially for the Hollywood movie industry, but it has something gripping in comparison with other similar pictures – the truth.
The situation discussed above was a real story. The Pursuit of Happyness is a biopic about Chris Gardner, who initially described his way to success and happiness in an autobiographic book. Chris Gardner has been a multimillionaire for already 20 years, but he started from nothing. Steven Conrad with the help of Gardner himself turned the book into a fascinating script for the movie. In his turn, debuting in Hollywood Italian director Gabriele Muccino turned the script into a movie (Niemiec, 2007). Will Smith playing the main character and Jaden Smith (the real son of the actor) playing small Christopher created one of the most appealing and touching couples that can be seen in the movies of this genre. Probably, this is because they actually are a father and son. Therefore, they both did not have to imitate care, the connection between the father and the son and mutual love. As a matter of fact, this work is probably the most valuable movie of Will Smith’s “collection”. This is his genre. An instructive, truthful and moving to tears picture that simply calls for action.
This movie is so appealing not only because of the whole touching and dramatic storyline but also of the details and particular scenes. What stands out the most is that every day Chris brings his son to a kindergarten, where the word “happiness” in the title is written with a touching grammatical mistake (“happyness”). Such a mistake is consistent with the general essence of the storyline being slightly Christmas-like (Niemiec, 2007). In other words, happiness appears to be a Christmas present for good behavior during a year. A mistake serves here as the reminder that one can change everything he/she wants on the way to success or the accomplishment of dreams. Such a small word, but how much sense the author has put into it.
It has already been mentioned that the movie is based on the autobiography of the real Chris Gardner. Interestingly, the real Chris Gardner appears for a second in the final (French, 2007). The director intentionally gave a real Chris a part to make the picture more descriptive and indicative. According to Gabriel Muccino’s point of view, it is better if the viewer does not know in advance who the prototype of the protagonist is. This is because Gardner is primarily known for his achievements in the financial sector and the audience may recognize him and predict the ending of the scene (French, 2007). Additionally, the movie refers to the pursuit of happiness which is elusive and not equivalent to the pursuit of purely career prosperity (Niemiec, 2007). The experience of a brief stay in the shelter for homeless, as well as knowledge of other unpleasant situations, really had a big impact on real Chris Gardner’s views (Gardner, 2009). Moreover, perhaps this experience even helped him in the future professional activity.
Nevertheless, one way or another the leitmotif of the work seems to be the line tied to the relationship between adult Chris and small Christopher, not the career and success (Gardner, 2009). That is why, the story begins with a soulful voice-over monologue, when Gardner remembers that the first time he saw his parents was only in 28 years and gives a mental promise that his child will always know his father, no matter what happens. The most touching and funniest moments depict small joys and the inevitable disappointments that accompany Gardner’s communication with his son Chris, forced deprivation has been endured, but deep down the main character is almost sorry for that.
Gabriele Muccino cleverly avoids common clichés of a typical biopic. Additionally, he highlights the spirit of that time, when not failing on the first steps towards the stockbroker position is a task almost impossible (French, 2007). The director works it with the virtuosity of a market trader selling a melon to a passerby. Using this metaphor further, you continue to listen to the trader not because you believe, and certainly not because you need a melon – you are just incredibly interested in what he/she is driving at, what another catchy joke he/she will tell, and at what point he/she will stop (French, 2007). Muccino’s shamelessness compares favorably with the older and more sincere bourgeois sentimentalists (for example, Stephen Spielberg in the movie Terminal). The audience is not tired of watching the pure truth, on the contrary, curiously waits for the next form it will take. Chris comes to an interview with financial bosses not simply not wearing the tie, but also in a dirty suit (he has painted the wall against the debt of rent and has had no other suit to change). In the other scene, a market tycoon borrows the last five dollars from Chris’s wallet – and here, the audience is guaranteed to be kept in suspense till the end of the movie with a thought in mind: Will he return five dollars in the final or not? It all appears to be incredibly exciting, and a problem of the shamelessness of Chris’s appearance in the official meeting becomes as insignificant as for what the scanner is needed (Niemiec, 2007). The answer, of course, exists in nature, but something tells that it is not a recipe for happiness and even more for “happyness”.
Telling the truth, all the most gentle, pathetic and impossible were added to the movie by screenwriters and the director. In real life, little Christopher was a teenager, Chris was paid a small scholarship for his internship, and, most importantly, he never knew how to solve the Rubik’s Cube – in the picture, it is one the most impressive details, proving that Chris is a unique person (Gardner, 2009). In fact, Gardner courageously allowed to varnish his life in order to make it more American dream-like but sticking to the truth on the screen.
To sum up, the movie shows America where the residents do not have private cars. They stand in line for social benefits and a cot in a city shelter and cry every Sunday at the church hoping for manna from heaven. Nevertheless, the main character of the movie frankly smiles at the chiefs and starts communication. Of course, there are moments in this story seeming like a fairy tale, although it is said that the picture is based on real events. However, probably, everyone in life faced a situation of great luck or when a good person turned to be nearby. The most important things that have led to the success of the protagonist are his own will and the little boy who is the main motivation. The story is slightly banal, exaggerated, and American dream-like. However, tiny details make it touching and truthful.
Buy movie review for any film and get good grade!
- The Class movie
- The Hurricane movie
- Book Review: Bad Science by Ben Goldacre Is a Chance to Understand a Worth of Knowledge
- Book Review: In the Memory of the Forest by Charles Powers
![]() |
Shirley R.
Casper, WY
|
|
I would be honored to recommend your writing service to all of my friends. I don’t usually recommend anything unless I truly believe it to be a good thing. EssaysEmpire.com is a good thing! |
![]() |
Billie N.
Atlanta, GA
|
|
EssaysEmpire.com is the only writing company that I can trust with my important writing projects. I have learned that I can count on your quality and ability without fail. Thank you, EssaysEmpire.com, for only hiring the best writers. I wouldn’t dream of using any other writing service. |
![]() |
Tiffany E.
Monroe, LA
|
|
I am 100% satisfied with the writer that you assigned to my project. This person understood exactly what I needed, even though I’m not the best communicator and the instructions were tedious and difficult. I felt certain I would have to send my paper back for a number of revisions, but I didn’t. The writer was able to convey exactly what I wished to express and he did it in record time!Thanks for everything. EssaysEmpire.com is the greatest! |
![]() |
Glynnis H.
Ft. Smith, AR
|
|
Hello! I just had to stop what I was doing to let you know how grateful I am that I found your excellent writing service. I have had to use you three times now, and each time, I have been 100% satisfied with the work that you did. Your writers are absolutely outstanding. I am very, very happy with everything you have written for me. |
![]() |
Mary R.
New York
|
|
Writer #48376 was very easy to work with. My professor made some changes to his requirements after he had assigned the paper. All I had to do was call your customer service and request to speak with the writer directly. Was able to relay the changes that my professor wanted, and he (writer #48376) accommodated them with no problem. I thought that was great. No headaches and perfect work. I couldn’t ask for a better experience! |
![]() |
Royce B.
Dallas, TX
|
|
It is so refreshing to work with a writing service as professional as EssaysEmpire.com. Everything from your website, to your customer service workers to the writing itself, is top rate. I recommend you highly to anyone who will listen. |
![]() |
Terry M.
Sparta, NJ
|
|
I got an A+ on the paper that you guys wrote for me. I can’t believe it! THANKS!!!! Many, many thanks! This A+ added those few extra points that I needed to stay on the Dean’s Honor List. You’re the greatest, EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Greg C.
Atlanta, GA
|
|
Your writing service is phenomenal. I love the fact that EssaysEmpire.com is even open on Christmas day. You never close, and that tells me that you are dedicated to students like me who might need help over the holidays or any time. The work you do is superior to that of other writing services. I’d say that overall, one simply can’t beat EssaysEmpire.com. Thanks for all that you do for students like me. |
![]() |
Enrico V.
San Diego, CA
|
|
I was really happy about the speedy turn around time for my paper. It is rare to find a writing service that can write things so quickly without taking away from their quality. Hats off to EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Lonnie K.
Falcon Crest, MA
|
|
I work very long hours. Therefore, I sometimes run behind in my school assignments. This is especially true for the long written assignments. It is so great to know that I can always count on EssaysEmpire.com to help me out. The papers that I buy from you are excellent, without fail. I really appreciate your help . Thanks for everything. |
![]() |
Kaylie B.
Casper, WY
|
|
Thank you, EssaysEmpire.com, for being the one writing service that I can always depend upon. You are reliable, honest and you do great work. I have been happy with every order I have placed with you |
![]() |
Fred H.
Berkeley, CA
|
|
Thank you for doing what you do. You helped a lot of my friends, and now you have helped me. You provide a valuable service to students who need to get over writing hurdles. |
![]() |
Kyle N.
Tempe, AZ
|
|
Dear Sirs: I have just placed my third order from EssaysEmpire.com this term. I feel confident that my paper will be written on time and that the quality of it will be out of the ballpark. The first two papers I ordered from you got A+ marks, and I know this one will, too. It is so great to be able to sit back and concern myself with my reading and exams while you do the difficult writing projects for me. That is really great. You guys are a class act! |
![]() |
Stephanie K.
Stowe, VT
|
|
Dear Sirs: Just a quick note to let you know that I appreciate your working on my paper so quickly. I did get it in time to turn it in for the deadline, even though I hadn’t given you much notice. I made a very good grade on it and was much relieved. Thanks again. You rock. |
![]() |
Hannah B.
Tulsa, OK
|
|
I am happy. I am happy because I got an A+ on my research paper. I did this by hiring the professional writers at EssaysEmpire.com to write it for me. It was everything I had hoped it would be. Thanks, EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Joyce T.
New Orleans, LA
|
|
I was trying to choose between EssaysEmpire.com and another online writing service and I didn’t know which one to pick. Then, I began to read reviews. I didn’t read even one thing negative about EssaysEmpire.com, and the other site was fraught with complaints. I went with EssaysEmpire.com, and it turned out that all the good things I had read about the service were true. My paper was fully guaranteed, but it was A-1 quality. The customer service people were great. The prices were right. Now, I am a devoted fan. When I need help with my writing, I go straight to EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Quincy S.
Cambridge, MA
|
|
You guys did a super job on my paper. The work definitely exceeded my expectations and eased my anxiety. This was the first time I had hired a writing service. The transaction was seamless. I would use you guys again in a heartbeat! No questions asked. You’re the best, hands down. |
![]() |
Pete F.
Sparta, NJ
|
|
Dear EssaysEmpire.com, I have never used a writing service like yours before. None of the ones I have tried previously offered the kind of guarantees that you offer. I even bought a paper that was plagiarized once. I never have to worry about things like that with EssaysEmpire.com! Thanks a million! |
![]() |
Mark R.
Seattle, WA
|
|
I am so happy with my term paper. The writer did a spectacular job!! Thanks to the writing team and also to the customer service team. |
![]() |
Benjamin P.
Beaumont, TX
|
|
Thank you for your diligence! Your writers got it right down to the last word! I appreciate how closely they paid attention. |