pjdw2005

Will Smith provides us with an Oscar worth performance of a man who goes from trying to find his niche to having no niche to rising above all obstacles when the stakes become his son. He makes the emotional transition of a happy family man worried about a failing investment to the man who lost wife, income and apartment almost overnight and must, despite the odds against him, persevere to provide for his young trusting son in a dignified and honest manner despite the obstacles the fall before him along the way. How does one find a place to live without an income? Find a babysitter when one is necessary for a much coveted internship without pay? You will find out how one man did it in The Pursuit of Happiness.

The Reading Room is another example of good writing, directing and acting without the need for provocative dress or behavior or language that makes even sailors blush. The movie jacket description although enticing did not do the film justice. I expected a mediocre film that was interesting and found myself enthralled in a well written story that made me feel as if I were a tourist visiting the inner city for the first time. As I "evesdropped" beside the unnamed tattooed man who stood outside the Reading Room beneath the lamppost (who IS that man?) the entire movie unfolded before "us" as we stood mesmerized by the happenings and how each character interacted with the others. There was one disturbing scene of "injury" that may be upsetting to a young child or persons in abusive relationships but over all the movie is interesting without being offensive and provides a good life lesson for all.