Most of these scenes were shot in actual BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport) stations and trains. Some of the locations most often seen are the public train stations and trains themselves that Gardner uses to commute and later has to spend a night in. Most of the movie takes place in downtown San Francisco where we see Gardner making his rounds every day. Let’s look at the specific filming locations! San Francisco, California Additionally, there are a few locations in nearby towns like Oakland that Gardner actually visits in the movie, like the Oakland Memorial Hospital where he goes to sell one of his medical devices. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the filmmakers as California is home to most major studios of Hollywood, making it relatively easier to shoot scenes in the busy streets of San Francisco. ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ was shot in 2015 but represents urban California of the 1980s. The Pursuit of Happyness Filming Locations Here, we take a look at the locations that give the movie its distinct air of authenticity. As the real Christopher Gardner was going through these struggles in the early 1980s in San Francisco, the movie too is based and almost completely shot in the city which provides the perfect urban backdrop for this story. Running time: 116 minutes.Throughout the film, we see him move from one location to another within the city as he struggles to find a place to stay, sell the medical equipment that he’s spent his life savings on and hustle to become a stockbroker. "The Pursuit of Happyness" is rated PG-13 for brief, strong sexual profanity (one usage of the so-called "R-rated" curse word, and some graffiti), brief vehicular violence (a car-pedestrian collision), and brief drug content (use of hypodermic needles). If there is a sour note here, it's that the film vilifies Newton's character to a certain degree, though the actress does try to redeem her a bit.
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS MOVIE REVIEWS FREE
And his son is an appealing fresh face, offering a performance that is free of the cloying cutesiness so typical of many child actors.
He's convincing as a man who may have been stripped of his dignity but who still believes in himself. That said, director Gabriele Muccino and screenwriter Steve Conrad's collaborative effort does feature a worthwhile message about perseverance and hard work paying off, as well as the importance of commitment to parenting.Īnd this is one of Smith's best performances. And at one point Chris and Christopher are living on the streets. Suddenly Chris has to try to fulfill his responsibilities as a father to their son Christopher, cram as much work and studying in during the day, and try to make a few sales on the weekends.Īs you may have guessed, this is not the happiest, cheeriest of material. The odds are against him, and things only worsen when Glenda decides to leave. Still, he's one of 20 interns competing for the single available paying job. However, Chris does get what appears to be a lucky break when he's been offered an unpaid internship at a stock brokerage. His wife Glenda (Thandie Newton) is working two jobs just to keep her family fed, and they're already months behind on their rent and other bills. Will Smith stars as Bay Area salesman Chris Gardner, who is struggling to make ends meet - and a bad business decision has only made things worse. "Happyness" is set during the economically depressed 1980s. It also presents a credible dramatic newcomer - Smith's 8-year-old son, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, who makes his first feature-film appearance.Īs you might expect, the two Smiths have a natural, believable father-son chemistry, and that character dynamic helps fuel this surprisingly involving and moving drama, which was inspired by real-life events. Which isn't to say that traces of the more comically charming star don't show up. "The Pursuit of Happyness" presents a more subdued, dramatic Will Smith than the one we're used to seeing. THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS - *** - Will Smith, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, Thandie Newton rated PG-13 (profanity, violence, brief drugs).