The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

This is a heart warming story of the triumph of an underdog who goes through professional as well as personal turmoil as he handles his 5 yrs old son as well as being jobless following the failure of his business. He interns at a brokerage firm for 6 months without any salary and finally makes it, in an epic moment of personal triumph. This is after his wife gives up on him and he also runs out of cash and fails to pay his rent and taxes. Finally it works out due to his constant pursuit for happ'y'ness.

There are some really tender moments between the father and son, and it helps that they are related in real life too. So natural and realistic. Jaden Smith acts his age without going overboard like other filmy kids. Will Smith turns in a lifetime performance. He isn't the flamboyant action hero in this but just a common man who struggles to make ends meet. Thandie Newton doesn't make a mark maybe due to her character that doesn't win even a semblance of empathy from us.

The film has a very soft soundtrack which is cute. The dialogs are sharp and brim with philosophy and humor as well. The various chapters in the film like Riding the Bus, Being Stupid, Running, Internship and Happiness are very aptly titled.

The biggest draw in this film is the fact that we get moved by the emotion at many instances like when the dad and son spend a night in a public restroom after getting homeless, the father and son standing in a long queue just to get a room and the final scene when Will finally gets a job and experiences the meaning of happiness.

On the whole, it is one of those feel-good classics that can be revisited whenever you need a boost. One of the ultimate 'underdog' movies.