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The Pursuit of Happyness Movie Preview

Happyness is a Family Affair

By , About.com Guide

Will Smith and Jaden Christopher Syre Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness."

© Columbia Pictures
Talk about nepotism! When the filmmakers were searching for a young boy to co-star with Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness they had to look no further than Smith's own home. Will's son Jaden Christopher Syre Smith makes his feature film acting debut alongside his dad in what's being hyped as the elder Smith's best performance since taking on the role of Muhammad Ali in Ali.

Based on the life of Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness is the rags-to-riches story of Chris (played by Will Smith), a struggling dad who lands an unpaid internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm only to get evicted from the San Francisco apartment he shares with his five-year-old son. With nowhere to go, the two wind up sleeping on the streets or anywhere they can find shelter at night. Despite the odds stacked against him, Chris remains committed to doing whatever it takes to provide a decent life for his young son.

Smith believes The Pursuit of Happyness is the embodiment of the American dream and jumped onboard the project after the producers sent him a tape of the real Gardner telling his story on 20/20. To make sure the movie remained true to Gardner's story, the man who inspired the film worked closely with screenwriter Stephen Conrad. Although dramatic license was taken, Gardner's story of hope and determination is what The Pursuit of Happyness is all about.

The Pursuit of Happyness spreads a little joy on December 15, 2006.

More on The Pursuit of Happyness:

  • The Pursuit of Happyness Photo Gallery

  • The Pursuit of Happyness Trailer, Credits, and Poster

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