The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Coming Out at December 15, 2006 in theaters.
Biography, Drama
The Pursuit of Happyness is biographical drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman. Smith’s son Jaden Smith co-stars, making his film debut as Gardner’s son, Christopher Jr. The screenplay by Steven Conrad is based on the best-selling 2006 memoir of the same name written by Gardner with Quincy Troupe. It is based on Gardner’s nearly one-year struggle being homeless. The unusual spelling of the film’s title comes from a mural that Gardner sees on the wall outside the daycare facility his son attends.
The film was released on December 25, 2006 by Columbia Pictures. Smith received acclaim for his performance and was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Actor.
In 1981, San Francisco salesman Chris Gardner invests his entire life savings in portable bone density scanners, which he demonstrates to doctors and pitches as a handy quantum leap over standard X-rays. The scanners play a vital role in his life. While he is able to sell most of them, the time lag between the sales and his growing financial demands enrage his already alienated wife Linda, who works as a hotel maid. The financial instability increasingly erodes their marriage, in spite of them caring for Christopher Jr., their soon-to-be five-year-old son. Because Chris has trouble selling the scanners, as they only produce a slightly better picture than a common X-ray but for a much higher price, and hence does not make enough money to make ends meet, Linda has to work double shifts.
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Writer: Steve Conrad
Stars: Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta, Kurt Fuller
Cast:
| Will Smith | … | Chris Gardner |
| Jaden Smith | … | Christopher |
| Thandie Newton | … | Linda |
| Brian Howe | … | Jay Twistle |
| James Karen | … | Martin Frohm |
| Dan Castellaneta | … | Alan Frakesh |
| Kurt Fuller | … | Walter Ribbon |
| Takayo Fischer | … | Mrs. Chu |
| Kevin West | … | World’s Greatest Dad |
| George Cheung | … | Chinese Maintenance Worker |
| David Michael Silverman | … | Doctor at First Hospital |
| Domenic Bove | … | Tim Ribbon |
| Geoff Callan | … | Ferrari Owner |
| Joyful Raven | … | Hippie Girl |
| Scott Klace | … | Tim Brophy |
| Rashida Clendening | … | Bus Driver |
| Eric Schniewind | … | Doctors |
| Peter Fitzsimmons | … | Doctors |
| Maurice Sherbanee | … | Roy The Old Neighbor |
| Zuhair Haddad | … | Cab Driver |
| Victor Raider-Wexler | … | Landlord |
| Mark Christopher Lawrence | … | Wayne |
| Darryl Fong | … | Policeman |
| George Maguire | … | Police Clerk |
| Joe Nunez | … | Driver Who Hits Chris |
| Adam Del Rio | … | Shoe-Spotting Intern |
| Rocky LaRochelle | … | Motel Manager |
| Erin Beers | … | Dean Witter Receptionist |
| Rueben Grundy | … | Businessman |
| Ming Lo | … | Young Executive |
| John Kovacevich | … | Young Executive |
| Bonnie Akimoto | … | Doctor’s Receptionist |
| Stu Klitsner | … | Dr. Strauk |
| Esther Scott | … | Shelter Worker |
| Tina D’Elia | … | Shelter Worker |
| Cecil Williams | … | Reverend Williams |
| David Fine | … | Big Guy Rodney |
| George Moffatt | … | Homeless Guy In Line |
| Amir Talai | … | Clerk |
| Mike Garibaldi | … | Paul |
| Jason Frazier | … | Young Man – Bus Fight |
| Kevin Crook | … | Smug Intern |
| David Haines | … | Other Young Executive |
| James Finnerty | … | News Reporter |
| Abigail Van Alyn | … | Ribbon’s Receptionist |
| Bob Greene | … | Doctor at Oakland Memorial Hospital |
| Robert Anthony Peters | … | Glide Shelter Worker |
| Terri Orth-Pallavicini | … | Secretary |
| John Robb | … | Homeless Guy |
| Daniel Wilder | … | Homeless Guys |
| Cathy Fithian | … | Policewoman |
| Keith Stevenson | … | Indian Grocery Clerk |
| Jeff Applebaum | … | Dean Witter Employee |
| Victor Hoagland | … | Ribbon’s Associate |
| Richard Bischoff | … | Ribbon’s Associate |
| Edward Donlin | … | Dr. Don Florio |
| Larry Hunt | … | Bucket Man |
| Rose Aispuro | … | Blood Center Clerk |
| Arbin C. Kumar | … | Check Cashing Clerk |
| The Glide Ensemble | … | Glide Singers |
| Jerry Edward McLilly | … | Smiley |
| Shareef Allman | … | Prisoner |
| Jeffrey Moon | … | Pizza Dad |
| Peaches Hutchinson | … | Pizza Mom |
| Brandon Deadwiler | … | Pizza Son |
| Tateanna Wheeler-Lezine | … | Pizza Daughter |
| Karen Kahn | … | Professional Woman |
| Alissa Anderegg | … | Golden Gate Park Kid |
| Martin Andris | … | Businessman |
| Elise Angell | … | Intern |
| Regina Antoinette | … | Shopper |
| Phil Austin | … | Stock Broker |
| Curtis Wayne Brown | … | Doctor |
| Rick Camp | … | Bus Rider |
| Doug Campbell | … | Dean Witter Trader |
| Stefano Capone | … | Businessman |
| Brad Carr | … | Dean Witter Employee |
| Molly Celaschi | … | Business Woman |
| Cabran E. Chamberlain | … | Dean Witter Trader |
| Baldwin Chiu | … | Intern |
| Kimberly Contreras | … | Hippie |
| James Cotner | … | Laughing Man in Car |
| Alexander Cukor | … | Dean Witter Intern |
| Zachary Culbertson | … | European Tourist |
| Bill Dietz | … | Businessman |
| Ryan Else | … | Dean Witter Intern |
| Travis B. Fields | … | Electronics Store Patron |
| Yeena Fisher | … | Business Woman |
| Garrett Forbes | … | Homeless Teen |
| Joseph Fossum-Perez | … | Punk Rocker on BART |
| Ben Fritz | … | Dean Witter Trader |
| Chris Gardner | … | Passerby on Street |
| Elizabeth Hara | … | Pedestrian |
| Daryl Anthony Harper | … | Homeless Man |
| Nate Havoc | … | Intern |
| Joshua Kanies | … | Construction Dept. |
| Heather Kantor | … | Hippie |
| David Kiiskinen | … | Dean Witter Broker |
| Shawn Kresal | … | Dean Witter Trader |
| Brendan Kruse | … | Bike Messenger |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia