There are films depressing, generating pessimistic moods, but there are, on the contrary, inspiring hope and faith in tomorrow. The latter includes the film directed by Gabriele Muccino, "Pursuit of Happiness." Actors and roles, the plot and the story of the film - all this will be discussed in today's article.
The picture was released in 2006. The lead actor was awarded the Oscar. In addition, the film has collected many prestigious awards, has received the approval of the audience. One of the movie reviewers, listing the merits of the picture, mentioned the "lack of freshness." High praise from a skeptical critic!
What is the movie “Pursuit of Happiness” about? The actor who played an episodic role in this picture is the prototype of the protagonist. About a man who seemed to accidentally fall into the frame, it is worth saying a few words.
Gardner's story
It is this person who appears for only a few seconds in the film. His face is not visible at first, but before the final credits the episode with his participation is repeated. And then the viewer can see his face - this is Chris Gardner. Although he starred in the film, he is not an actor. He is a millionaire who published an autobiographical book, according to which the picture "In pursuit of happiness" was created.
Actor Will Smith
The lead actor in the film, which is discussed in this article, became famous in the early 2000s. Will Smith was nominated for an Oscar for the role of Mohammed Ali. Later starred in the films "Men in Black", "Bad Guys." There are many vivid film images in Smith's filmography, but one of the most famous is Gardner in the drama “Pursuit of Happiness”. The actor, as already mentioned, received the most prestigious American film award for this work.
Movie content
The storyline of the picture takes viewers to 1981 in San Francisco. At the center of the story is the Gardner family (Chris, Linda and their little son), forced to exist in very cramped conditions.
Having decided to correct the difficult financial situation, Chris takes risks and invests all available savings in a deliberately failed project. A man begins to sell portable scanning devices that allow you to take better pictures than a conventional X-ray machine. But a number of undeniable advantages over traditional equipment are overshadowed by high cost. Buying an innovative device is affordable only for the most successful medical specialists.
Linda also can not find a job that would bring decent income. She works in the laundry room of a local hotel, where she gets paid a mere penny. The family barely has enough money to rent cheap housing - rent arrears are growing rapidly. Soon, Linda moved to New York, in search of a better job. Son stays with Chris.
After his wife’s departure, the main character becomes even more difficult to survive, so he abandons his unprofitable business and settles in a brokerage office. But the competition is great - employers have to choose only one employee from more than twenty applicants. The tenant evicts the father and son for non-payment. Gardner and the boy have to move to a church shelter in order to have at least some kind of roof over their heads.
“Pursuit of Happiness”: actors
This is the plot of the film. And such is the story of the man who wrote the book “Pursuit of Happiness”. Actor Will Smith played the role of a man who managed to get from a pauper to a millionaire. Gardner was hired. In the 90s, he opened his office. This time the business was successful. The new millennium, the former seller of useless medical equipment met a millionaire.
Gardner Jr. played Smith's son - Jaden. The role of the wife of the hero of this amazing story is Thandie Newton. It is worth saying that Gardner took an active part in the creation of the film “In pursuit of happiness”. He did not select actors, but acted as a co-producer, and during the filming he made some changes to the script. The film also played Brian Howie, Dan Castellaneta, Scott Clays, Kurt Fuller and, of course, Chris Gardner as a random passer-by.