our pusuit.......

This part of my life....this little part ....right here is called "Happiness."  
 
This is the second time I've watched The Pursuit of Happyness but I wanted to just write abou t a couple of moments which caught my eye especially. 

This shot sequence only lasts three frames but nevertheless very moving as the lighting, performance, dialogue and music all come together to make what is an incredibly poignant moment. Little Chris suddenly questions why his mom left and thinks it was because of him. You can see the anguish on his father's face that his son should have been thinking of this, alone and suffering in another way than he knew. It's one moment a parent never wants to face because he had a life with his partner and they wanted to share a future and a family together and the disappointment in the failure of a marriage and possibly in yourself about exactly how and why and when it all came undone is huge. How do you explain that to your child? Another great line is said: "Mom left because of Mom." 
This line tenderly yet bluntly speaks the truth - some people cannot handle being parents and being strong for others because they can only bear their own weight. Those people leave. And Chris Gardner is able to explain this to his son simply and honestly but doesn't leave him in any doubt of his own self worth.      
The following shot is of the same mood: tender and simple. We see Smith's face and unexpectedly we then see his son's hand touch his chin. His little hand is so small next to Smith's face but the lighting makes his hand lighter. This a reflection of the boy's innocence and shows the contrast: Gardner is weary and older, older than his own years (there is contrast in the lighting of their faces as well; Will Smith's face is colder and more blue but his son's lit with a warmer, tungsten light) but his son is able to offer him solace and comfort: "You're a good papa."
There is an interesting decision to use the word 'papa' - I'm nt exactly sure how, but it strikes a certain cord. After the son never referring to him as anything other than 'dad', it's a surprise to hear him say this word as it's not often used when you're as young as that, and more so when you're much older. The line could almost be said by a grown up comforting his old father that his childhood was a good and happy one. 

Another scene which touched me is Smith's performance when Gardner finds out when he's got the place out of the pool of 20. The journey the protagonist has made so far has been full of misfortunes as he pursues happiness but has seemed to be denied it at every turn. But now, his hard work and graft and determindnation has paid off, at last. This news, as we know, will mean 
The few shots that impressed me the most, start when Smith runs down the steps into the swarm of commuters and society. Smith moves as someone would in a state of shock. The music, for the most part, is the only audible thing in this sequence and gives what we see more significance as gives it breath and space. The noise of the city is not given and for that we can start to experience the overwhelming expanse of Gardner's joy and pure happiness. Smith moves his hands as if reassuring himself, in a way someone does if planning something or perhaps when reminding yourself of a plan or someone who is retreating into their mind and speaks to themslves as a source of and reaction for comfort. The sequence is edited so the action is in slow motion which matches the soft music and offers a furher insight how Gardner is perceiving the world at that moment in his shock. His figure stands out in the crowd as his face crumples with emotion: relief, joy, pride, a trusting of own worth....the shot follows him as he turns in a circle in the sea of bobbing heads. The lines on Smith's forehead are creased with something beyond normal happiness... and he presses his hands to his mouth. It is as if he cannot even believe himself and it's very apt for his character as he wouldn't be one to yell and punch the air as some might expect after such news. Instead he claps. It's unexpected but fitting. He is with no one else so he can't hug anybody but he claps for himself and for the fortune which is giving safety and protection for his son. As the music reaches a slight crescendo you can almost physically see Gardner's joy as the focal point is pinpointed directly onto Smith. 

There are lots of things I like and love about this film but those two moments struck a deep chord with me with their coming together of elements which make a perfect shot.