“Happiness
is something we can only pursue, and maybe actually we can never have it, no
matter what” – from the movie ‘The pursuit of HappYness’.
In
the movie, Will smith is Chris Gardner and his biological son Jaden Smith is
Christopher. Chris is medical device seller with no stable income and runs his
family by selling bone density scanner. At least he has to sell two in a month
to pay rent and day care fee. But he lands up without even selling one for a
while.
His
wife is a maid trying equally hard to make the ends meet.
In
times of economy depression, the news of budget deficit further augments his
disquiet and at the thought of it, almost completes solving a puzzle cube in-front
of TV.
On
his way to selling bone density scanner, Chris confronts a well-bred man who
checks out from a posh car. Unrestrained by the enticing car and princely
fineries, he questions the man- “What do you do and how do you do it?”
“I
am a stockbroker” comes the reply. Chris interjects “I have to go to college to
be a stockbroker” maintaining smile on his face.
“You
don’t have to”, cuts short the broker and continues “be good at numbers and at
people”. With this remark, Chris sees all people around him damn happy.
Shortly, he broods over his own happiness and feels incomplete.
Later,
Chris talks about getting into job to his wife. As he have not even sold one,
this evokes a tension in the air. They are two months due of house rents and
confusions breaks out between the two. However, Chris remain firm and fixed in
his determination to tend his family.
Motivated
by the words of stockbroker, Chris would set out to Dean Whitter Reynolds for
internship as broker trainee. He is one among many fighting for the one and
only place in the program which take 20 people every six month. It is the
survival of the fittest.
Back
home, Chris is haunted by worries.
Industrious
and optimistic as he appear, Chris never fails to wear smiles in front of
Christopher.
Chris
Gardner has no time. He has device to sell, son to pick up from day care and
application to follow up. With tighter schedule each passing day his determination
grows ever stronger but the relationship he possess with his wife dwindles.
Once
Chris shows up home late after his futile works which turns everything upside
down. His wife vexes over his late night turn up and Chris rushes home only to
find the empty house. But he still manages to get hold of Christopher.
With
father and son together, the problem mounts bigger and bigger. But Chris never
let personal problems impede professional life and interns with utmost dedication
despite the hoots and toots and domineering bosses.
In
the course of time, they loses their house, seizes bank balance and one time
even lands in public washroom. Of all, the only priceless value they never lose
is the trust and hope between the father and son. Somehow, Chris manages to
sell his device and regales Christopher with chocolates. The money he fetched
from the bone density scanner sends them from public washroom to decent hotel.
At
the last day of his intern, Chris appears before the supervisors with an ironed
suit and says “I thought I would wear a new shirt today as it’s my last day
here”.
“Wear
one tomorrow because tomorrow is going to be your first day if you would like
to work here as broker Chris”. Eventually the price is paid and Chris is in.
Tears
well up in his eyes and says it was not as easy as he thought to be working as broker
before he got into it.
