Classics: A Review of The Pursuit of Happiness By Lauren Ennis

How far would you go for your family? This is the question that lies at the heart of the 2006 drama The Pursuit of Happyness. Through its depiction of one man's struggle to protect and provide for his son the film presents a portrait of fatherhood at its most selfless. In its portrayal of its unique story the film pays universal tribute to the self-sacrifice, and love that define fatherhood. This father's day bond with your father over The Pursuit of Happyness.

Like father, like son

Based upon the autobiography of stockbroker Chris Gardner, the film relates a tale of one man's journey from poverty to prosperity. The film begins with Gardner struggling to make ends meet meet selling medical scanners that most hospitals deem an unnecessary luxury. Despite his best efforts he, his wife, Linda, and their young son, Christopher, continue to live a 'hand to mouth' existence. Their financial struggles strain the couple's marriage until Linda finally walks out, leaving Chris to raise his son alone. As Chris' finances continue to deteriorate he and Christopher face eviction and finally homelessness. When Chris is offered an internship at prestigious brokerage firm Dean Witter Reynolds he recognizes the unpaid position for the opportunity that it is. Through the ensuing months he is determined to prove himself as both an employee and a father as he struggles to balance his work and family responsibilities, all while navigating life in the shelter system. 

The depiction of Chris' journey to Hell and back for the sake of his son makes The Pursuit of Happyness a perennial crowd pleaser and prime Father's Day viewing. The film expertly highlights both the bond that exists between Chris and Christopher and the lengths to which Chris will go to protect this bond. In this way, the film ensures that audiences are just as invested in the pair's relationship as they are in Chris' struggles. The focus upon the bond between the two additionally ensures that even those who have never stepped foot in a homeless shelter will relate to Chris' journey and appreciate just how high the stakes of his pursuit of happiness truly are.  Some critics have contended that the film places too high of an emphasis upon Chris' pursuit of wealth, but those critics have missed the point of the film. While Chris' journey does include his struggle to earn an income in order to provide a healthy and stable life for his son, his success is not one that can be measured in dollars and cents. Instead, his success is best measured in terms of the love that motivated him to achieve it and the happiness that it brought to the most important person in his life; his young son. For a film that you and your dad can both enjoy make an investment in The Pursuit of Happyness, but make sure that you invest in a box of Kleenex while you're at it.

Chris Gardner's real life story is brought to vibrant life thank to the stellar work of its cast. Brian Howe exudes likeability at Chris' unlikely ally and boss, Jay Twistle. Thandiwe Newton personifies world weariness as Chris' wife, Linda. Jaden Smith proves himself to be more than just another child actor in a performance that combines a raw emotion, depth, and sincerity that belies his young years as Christopher. Even in the midst of superior supporting performances the film belongs to Will Smith as Chris. In Smith's hands Gardner is more than just one man and is instead an everyman in which all of us can see ourselves. As a result, viewers are certain to be rooting for him on every step of his pursuit of happiness. 

At once an apt portrayal of one man's journey and a universal story of the power of family The Pursuit of Happyness is well worth pursuing. Through its unflinching script the film brilliantly brings Gardner's harrowing journey from rags to riches to the screen. The film's real life characters are vividly brought to life thanks to the expert work of its cast. This Father's Day kick back with some grilling and flip your remote onto The Pursuit of Happyness.

"This part right here...this is called happiness"

Classics: A Review of The Letter By Lauren Ennis

Noir is a genre populated with shady dames and murky morals. Even in the back alley's of film noir, however, rarely has a femme been quite so fatale as  Leslie Crosby in 1940's The Letter. In her hypnotic performance Bette Davis' Lesley personifies the all too real evil that lives among us. Bridging the gap between melodrama and noir this film acts as a gritty legal thriller and compelling character study in human cruelty. For one of Davis' most memorable performances open The Letter.

A clear cut case of self-defense

The story begins on a rubber plantation in Malaysia as British expatriate Leslie Crosby shoots a man on the steps of her home. It is soon revealed that the victim was a friend of Leslie husband, Robert, fellow expat Geoff Hammond. While Leslie maintains that she shot Hammond in self-defense during an attempted rape, she is arrested and her case is brought to trial. Although her fellow expats hail her as a heroine her attorney, family friend Howard Joyce, is skeptical of her story. Howard's suspicions are confirmed when his clerk informs him that Hammond's wife, an unnamed local woman, possesses a salacious letter Leslie wrote to Hammond. In an effort to protect his client Howard acts against his own conscience and sets out to buy the letter from Hammond's widow and ensure that neither Robert nor the jury learn of his client's sordid past. What ensues is a noirish legal thriller that takes viewers on a harrowing journey into the heart of a killer.

Through its dark subject matter, morally compromised characters, and expressionist cinematography The Letter stands as one of the earliest examples of film noir. Even in its place at the forefront of the genre, however, the film manages to defy genre conventions by challenging viewer expectations as well as the norms of its era. While noir typically exposes the dark side of the modern metropolis The Letter is set on the exotic shores of Malaysia. Similarly, the film follows society's elites rather than its dregs. As a result, the film's depiction of human nature at its most brutal is all the more shocking. In this way, the film highlights the fact that all too often the greatest evil is that which is within our own midst. The film also defies the norms of its era through the ways in which it subverts both gender and racial stereotypes. While many post-Hays Code films depicted female characters in an idealized light The Letter harkens back to Hollywood's pre-censorship era in its portrayal of Leslie. While she outwardly seems to personify society's ideals, the film slowly reveals Leslie to be one of the most self-serving, callous, and calculating individuals ever put to celluloid. Similarly, the film begins with what appears to be a stereotypical portrayal of the Malaysian workers employed on Robert's plantation. Over time, however, the film inverts these stereotypes by portraying its Malaysian characters, particularly Hammond's wife, with a dignity and humanity that escapes their British counterparts. In this way, the film exposes the hypocrisies of both its characters and the colonial society in which they live. Even as it seems to bend the noir genre at every turn the film captures the dark heart of the genre. For a look at noir at its most unique take the stand with Leslie in The Letter.

Not at all ominous...

The film transports viewers into the jungles of Malaysia and the soul of a sinner thanks to the brilliant work of its cast. Sen Yung infuses Howard's clerk, Ong Chi Seng with cool cunning. Herbert Marshall aptly portrays Robert with humility, charm, and warmth. James Stephenson imbues Howard with intelligence, and portrays his moral conflict with nuance. Gale Sondergaard steals each scene in which he appears in a virtually silent performance as Hammond's vengeful wife that is nothing short of haunting. Even in the midst of stellar supporting performances the film belongs to Bette Davis. In Davis' hands what could have been a melodramatic turn is instead a chilling portrait of humanity at its most ruthless. One viewing will remind viewers why Bette Davis is still considered one of Hollywood's all time greats.

At once a tense courtroom drama, a gritty noir, and a character study, The Letter is a classic that defies genre limits. Through its intelligent and nuanced script the film brings Maugham's stage drama to visceral life. The all star performances infuse each of its characters with depth, complexity, and realism. Kick back with a cool classic and tear open The Letter.

With all my heart I still love the man I killed!