For Actor Will Smith, the Pursuit of Happyness is More than Just another Movie

Nathan Rock/CR : Dec 19, 2006
The Christian Post

"The tool that God has given me is my artistry. I feel I'm closer than I've ever been to doing something with that tool that will leave the world a better place."

In the new movie Pursuit of Happyness, actor/singer Will Smith plays the role of Chris Gardner, a single dad who becomes homeless with his son, (played by Smith's own son Jaden) but decides to try to really make something of himself. The true-life drama by Sony topped the box office this past weekend raking-in 27 million dollars, but the real inspiration is the story's core.

"I was struck by the commitment that (Gardner) had to this idea of who he was, and what he wanted his life to be," remarked Smith in a press screening, UMNS reported. "He gambled everything. He put his trust in God, and in the face of homelessness and hunger he held onto that idea. That idea was food for him when he was hungry and shelter for him when he was homeless."

One of the turning points, both in the movie and in the real-life story, is when Gardner goes to a church for help and meets the Rev. Cecil Williams, (played by himself in the movie). Gardner declares that he is going to break the cycle of poverty in his life. He eventually goes on to work at a stock brokerage firm, and he and his son prevail over many adversities that come their way.

Will Smith shared his feelings about playing Gardner in the movie, "I feel that, spiritually, I did the right thing in making this movie. The tool that God has given me is my artistry. I feel I'm closer than I've ever been to doing something with that tool that will leave the world a better place."