Moving into acting during the start of the ‘90s, Will Smith has built himself to be one of the most bankable faces in Hollywood. Grossing over $9.3 billion globally, his movies have always struck a chord with the audience. Famed for his versatility in roles ranging from sci-fi to action-comedy with the likes of Men In Black and Bad Boys being his most celebrated outings, he has, though, contributed much more poignantly to cinema.
A father of three, Smith has, at times, settled into his real-life shoes to resonate to the core with anyone watching. Notably, his acting stints alongside his son, Jaden Smith as his co-star, have gone on to capture riveting moments of fatherhood quite poignantly. As such, one movie from 2006 featuring the duo not only received widespread acclaim but also made itself synonymous as a tear-jerker and a must-watch Father’s Day movie.
The Jaden Smith starrer that Will Smith called his best yet
Featuring iconic lines such as “You’re a good papa,” amid a plot involving a father and son’s despair and hope through homelessness, 2006’s The Pursuit of Happyness tugged the emotional heartstrings of its viewers unlike no other. The biographical drama had Will Smith play Christopher Gardner and Jaden Smith as Christopher, his then 5-year-old son.
Unfolding a story of the hidden struggles, and everyday battles a father goes through to raise his son, the film stands out in emotional connection. Moreover, it had such an impact on the Oscar-winning actor that he once declared in an episode of Hot Ones that,
I think the individual best movie, all around, that I’ve ever made is ‘The Pursuit of Happyness.
The themes of resilience, hope, and the power of love add a layer of relatability. The Gabriele Muccino directorial would make even the strongest of hearts crumble in scenes such as the protagonist’s desire to provide for his son in the direst circumstances, including when the thick of homelessness forces them to spend nights in a public restroom or an empty subway.
A full-circle moment comes to fruition when Gardner lands a new job, and walks out onto the street, clapping and cheering in a silent celebration. The scene beautifully captures the depth of loneliness in struggles and triumph, where the only thing that matters is the warmth of family. Showcasing the unconditional commitment of a father towards his child and the latter’s love for the former, the movie is hard to pass on, especially on Father’s Day.
The box office and critical acclaim for Pursuit of Happyness
Made on a budget of $55 million, Pursuit of Happyness became one of the star highlights for the joint career of Will and Jaden Smith, going on to amass over $307 million at the global box office. Moreover, the critical appraisal of the film won it over 26 nominations, including the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Furthermore, it has also won critical acclaim on various platforms, as well as 12 awards in this regard.
Keeping Father’s Day in mind, movies like Father of the Bride, Finding Nemo, Mrs. Doubtfire, Big Daddy, Field of Dreams, and Coco make up for similar watches, capturing the same essence of the love of a father for their child. All of these outings carry a heartwarming story and memorable characters with lessons about trust, letting go, and the strength of familial bonds, with many going on to become cultural phenomena.
The Pursuit of Happyness is available to stream on TNT, TBS, tru TV, or for free with ads on Pluto TV.
