The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 film about a struggling, on and off-homeless salesman-turned-stockbrocker as he takes care of his 5-year-old son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional endeavor that will eventually become his path to success. Directed by Gabriele Muccino. Written by Steve Conrad, based on the book by Chris Gardner Chris Gardner It was right then that I started thinking about Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence and the part about our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And I remember thinking: How did he know to put the pursuit part in there? That maybe happiness is something that we can only pursue. And maybe we can actually never have it, no matter what. How did he know that? [To a man with a sports car] I just have two questions for you: What do you do, and how do you do it? Christopher Hey dad, you wanna hear something funny? There was a man who was drowning, and a boat came, and the man on the boat said "Do you need help?" and the man said "No thanks, God will save me". Then another boat came and he tried to help him, but he said "No thanks, God will save me", then he drowned and went to Heaven. Then the man told God, "God, why didn't you save me?" and God said "I sent you two big boats, you dummy!" Reverend Williams The important thing about that freedom train, is it's got to climb mountains. We ALL have to climb mountains, you know. Mountains that go way up high, and mountains that go deep and low. Yes, we know what those mountains are here at Glide. We sing about them. Dialogue Christopher: What are you doing? Chris Gardner: Just filling out a check, paying some bills and a parking ticket. Christopher: We don't have a car anymore. Chris Gardner: Yeah, I know... Chris Gardner: Probably means there's a good chance. Possibly means we might or we might not. Christopher: Okay. Chris Gardner: So, what does probably mean? Christopher: It means we have a good chance. Chris Gardner: And what does possibly mean? Christopher: I know what it means! It means we're not going to the game. Chris Gardner: [about the spelling mistakes in the graffiti of a building] It's not "H-A-P-P-Y-N-E-S-S" Happiness is spelled with an "I" instead of a "Y" Christopher: Oh, okay. Is "Fuck" spelled right? Chris Gardner: Um, yes. "Fuck" is spelled right but you shouldn't use that word. Christopher: Why? What's it mean? Chris Gardner: It's, um, an adult word used to express anger and, uh, other things. But it's an adult word. It's spelled right, but don't use it. Chris Gardner: Don't ever let someone tell you, you can't do something. Not even me. All right? Christopher: All right. Chris Gardner: You got a dream, you got to protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you you can’t do it. You want something, go get it. Period. [On his last day in the training program, Chris Gardner is summoned by the partners] Chris Gardner: I thought I'd wear a shirt today, um, you know, being the last day and all. Martin Frohm: Well, thank you. Thank you. We appreciate that. But... wear one tomorrow though, okay? Because tomorrow's going to be your first day... if you'd like to work here as a broker. Would you like that, Chris? Gardner: Yes, sir. Frohm: Good. We couldn't be happier. So welcome. Was it as easy as it looked? Gardner: No, sir. No, sir, it wasn't. Frohm: Good luck, Chris. Gardner: Thank you. Thank you. [shakes hands with Jay Twistle and the other partners, and prepares to leave] Frohm: Oh, Chris. I almost forgot. [gives him back five dollars for an earlier cab ride] Thank you. (Final lines) Chris Gardner: How many planets are there? Christopher: Um... seven? Chris Gardner: Seven? Nine! OK, who's the king of the jungle? Christopher: The gorilla? Chris Gardner: Gorilla? Nope. Lion. Christopher: Yeah, lion, lion. You wanna hear something funny? Chris Gardner: OK. Christopher: Knock knock. Chris Gardner: Who's there? Christopher: Shelby. Chris Gardner: Shelby who? Christopher: Shelby comin' round the mountain when she comes, Shelby comin' round the mountain when she comes! Chris Gardner: Hey, that's good. Christopher: Knock knock. Chris Gardner: Who's there? Christopher: Nobody. Chris Gardner: Nobody who? (Christopher doesn't respond) Chris Gardner: Nobody who? (Christopher still doesn't respond) Chris Gardner: A-ha-ha, that's a good one, I like that! Cast Will Smith – Chris Gardner Jaden Smith – Christopher Brian Howe – Jay Twistle Thandie Newton – Linda James Karen – Martin Frohm Dan Castellaneta – Alan Frakesh Kurt Fuller – Walter Ribbon Takayo Fischer – Mrs. Chu Cecil Williams – Reverend Williams Domenic Bove – Tim Ribbon Joe Nunez – Driver Who Hits Chris External links 0454921 The Pursuit of Happyness pursuit_of_happyness The Pursuit of Happyness The Pursuit of Happyness Official Site Category:2006 films Category:Drama films Category:Biographical films Category:2000s American films Category:Stock trading films Category:Films set in San Francisco Category:Films about poverty Category:Films about homelessness Category:Films about father–son relationships Category:Films about salespeople