THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
Release Date: December 15th
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some language
Ten Words Or Less: Will and Junior get poor...then get jiggy with it.
Reason For Existence: Excuse me, sir: Will Smith would like an Oscar, please.
Mathematical Equation: Wall Street + Men in Black / Seabiscuit
Take A Look: Grab a hanky (it's gooey)
Early Buzz (Good): "The story would be hard to take if it was completely made up, but since apparently it really happened it makes for a thrilling story to watch him overcome the odds, and the test screening audience actually applauded his victories." - Vern, Ain't It Cool News
Early Buzz (Bad): "There's a couple points where I thought it got a little corny though. I hope they cut out the part where he tells his son not to play basketball then suddenly scolds him to 'Never let anyone tell you you can't do something - not even me.'" - Vern, Ain't It Cool News
Oscar Locks: None
In The Running: Best Actor (Will Smith)
Long Shots: Well, theoretically, we're all longshots. Isn't that the point of the movie?
Completely Irrelevant Best Picture Odds: 25-1
Why It's Essential: That kid is friggin' adorable!
The Achilles Heel: The trailer reeks of gushy melodrama; screenwriter Steve Conrad (The Weather Man) and director Gabriele Muccino (L'Ultimo Bacio) do not instill confidence.
The Verdict: A crowdpleaser so sweet the trailer can give you cavities...and having Smith's own son as his co-star is a market-friendly move. There's a long history of these getting love from the Academy (Chocolat is the first that painfully comes to mind). But if it lacks gravitas, it'll have little but its star to keep it alive in the Oscar race.
[Modern Fabulousity]
