If you want to watch a decent film with many positive lessons, then you should watch The Pursuit of Happyness. Some of the outstanding strengths of this movie include perseverance, a valuable quality in life.
In this guide, we will discuss the major themes of The Pursuit of Happyness. We will also examine the age appropriateness of young viewers and how parents can guide their children through the film.
Overview of The Pursuit of Happyness
The Pursuit of Happyness is a good movie with a strong foundation based on a true story by Chris Gardner. The story is based on someone who, despite facing many challenges, battles to achieve success.
The plot of the film revolves around the city of San Francisco and the early eighties. The problems revolve around money, single parenting, and the struggle to be hopeful. While he was going through all these challenges, he got hope from his family to push on till the end.
1. Resilience
Even though Chris is facing many challenges, he tries to overcome them through resilience. Even though he was facing a tough time, he did not forget his mission. It’s a great way to teach kids always to persevere.
2. Determination
The movie highlights Chris’s determination to achieve his goals despite the challenges he faces. He rises early, juggles work and fatherhood, and competes with others who live more comfortably. Even though he has pressure to survive and make something out of his situation, he stays focused.
3. Family dynamics
The main theme in the film is the relationship between the father and son characters, Chris and Christopher. The relationship makes Chris stronger to push through life. The movie portrays the challenges of single parenting and the sacrifices it entails. That means love and trust are crucial in helping families stay together through difficult times.
Rating and content of The Pursuit of Happyness
It is beneficial to know the type of film The Pursuit of Happyness is before sitting down to watch it with other family members. The parts of the movie summary include the age rating, the duration, and the genre of the movie. It will give you an idea of how it sounds and what it entails, so you can determine whether it is suitable for everybody in the room.
1. Age rating
According to the Motion Picture Association, the movie is rated PG-13. This implies that not all material is suitable for children under 13. This rating is driven mainly by heavy emotional content and somewhat of strong language.
No violent scenes, no sex, and nothing that is scary. However, the narration is associated with poverty, homelessness, and some serious internal conflicts. They are harsh issues that might have an emotional impact on young viewers.
Nevertheless, the movie is compelling. It illustrates the nature of the plight that many people face and the struggle of one man to overcome it. It will motivate teenagers and adults. When you are watching with younger children, spend time with them to instruct them. Make them realize why such a thing is being done.
2. Runtime
The film duration is 1 hour and 57 minutes. That’s a lot of time to craft a poignant and gripping story without dwelling too long. The tempo remains calm. It is the dark and light moments that keep one emotionally glued. If you’re watching it with children, plan brief pauses. It allows one to rest, chat about what’s going on, or even stretch.
3. Genre
The narrative is a true story with drama. It tells the true story of Chris Gardner, who struggles to make something of himself and his son despite overwhelming odds.
It hurts more since the movie is based on real-life happenings. It’s not a fairy tale; it’s taken from life, and because of that, the emotional burden seems more genuine and powerful.
There is no action and rapid-fire jokes. Rather, it is a tale of silent power, hard decision,s and self-will. After it is over, it makes you think.
4. Content
The message of this film is its core. It’s a story of hope and perseverance, demonstrating that even in the darkest moments, things can improve. The film is emotionally powerful, yet deeply meaningful. It shines a light on the quiet struggles that many people face every day.
It’s not the kind of movie you watch for just fun, but it goes much deeper. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after, potentially changing the way you see the world. More than just a film, it’s an invitation to reflect on life, hard work, and perseverance.
Is The Pursuit of Happyness suitable for kids?
The Pursuit of Happyness is a deeply emotional movie that tells a poignant story of suffering, hope, and resilience. Although it is also encouraging to the families, it also addresses some serious issues, and it may not be suitable for all children. The question of whether it is appropriate for a younger audience to watch or not is related to some crucial aspects.
1. Language
The movie contains some strong language. This profanity occurs mostly when characters are stressed or angry. Although it is not always present, even a couple of words can be unsuitable for parents with younger children. Watching the movie with your child will give you the opportunity to ask questions or offer any necessary advice.
2. Adult scenes and imagery
It’s not a violent or explicit movie, but it tackles real-world adult challenges. The story explores issues such as poverty, unemployment, eviction, and emotional distress. While it doesn’t shy away from these struggles, some scenes may feel heavy for a child who hasn’t experienced such hardships. The tone, however, isn’t aggressive.
3. Emotional intensity
It is an emotional movie. It depicts the hurt of being broke, hungry, and homeless. The silent drama of Chris may be painful to observe. Although the shock tactics are absent in the film, it is too animated and emotional to be viewed by a young audience. It will be easily followed and understood by older children.
4. Core values and messages
The centerpiece of the story is the powerful themes of perseverance, family support, and never losing hope. The hard work that Chris Gardner puts into raising his son, even when he loses everything, is what makes it more of a teaching story than an entertaining one. These values may leave a lasting impression on the younger generation.
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Recommended movies similar to The Pursuit of Happyness
The theme of the power of family ties and the pursuit of a good life is a common motif in many movies. This list will provide you with a list of movies that are similar to The Pursuit of Happyness in some sense. Although every film has its own unique challenges, all of them are ultimately focused on achieving a satisfying conclusion.
1. Life is beautiful
It is a moving tale of a Jewish male who is under the grip of a Nazi concentration camp. He later treats his son with jokes and fantasy in an attempt to cushion him.
It is also based on a great father who will go to great lengths to rescue his child when they are in almost impossible situations. The movie lessons are that one must be optimistic, sacrifice, and love despite unimaginable misery.
2. Slumdog Millionaire
This is an Oscar-winning movie set in the slums of Mumbai. It chronicles the life of Jamal, a low-income individual who becomes a sensation on a quiz show.
The storyline is made up of flashbacks that display how he has suffered in the course of survival, trauma, and love. It demonstrates that hard starts can condition an individual and leave no negative marks on it. The point is understandable; you do not have to be predetermined by where you begin.
3. The blind side
The movie is a true story about NFL player Michael Oher. It tells the story of a homeless teenager who is adopted by a loving family, which helps him grow into a successful person.
There are second chances, compassion, and the power of loving relationships, which are also used to make this watch. It is just as Chris Gardner did, as it develops a message that life can change when people believe in someone.
4. Cinderella Man
It is a sports movie biography of James Braddock, who supported his family during the Great Depression. It is a show similar to The Pursuit of Happyness in its uncompromising hard work. Both narratives emphasize the intense battle to regain dignity despite the odds. The film tells the story of families’ wills and their fight to live at any cost.
Viewing suggestions for parents
Before playing The Pursuit of Happyness, there are things that you have to take into consideration. The majority of them are necessary to guarantee a safe viewing experience for kids. The following are some of them, and what makes them so important:
1. Watch with your child
The Pursuit of Happyness is a movie recommended for parents to watch with their children. Some of the problems that are given attention in the movie are poverty issues, and emotional confusions that may be excessive for young people. Watching as a family allows parents to comment on the scenes and emotionally support one another through the situations together.
2. Discuss the scenes and moral lessons
A discussion of the movie with children is also required after its viewing. When it comes to topics such as responsibility and perseverance, the end goal can be highlighted.
Parents can guide children in answering questions, such as those concerning memorable moments. Additionally, it may concern the way the characters responded to certain problems and what their values were most important to them.
3. Use monitoring tools to limit screen time
Managing kids while they watch movies can be a challenging task for busy parents. That’s why you need a tool that can help you monitor your kids remotely. To have access to the best features that can make your parental roles easier, you need a robust parental control tool.
One of the best tools on the market is FlashGet Kids, which features screen time management. The screen time feature is essential to ensure kids don’t spend too much time on their devices.
FlashGet Kids also features a screen mirroring option, allowing you to view your child’s device screen. This way, you can see the movies they watch and evaluate their suitability. With this app, you can keep track of your kids and ensure they’re safe.
Conclusion
There is more to The Pursuit of Happyness than just a film, as it is a touching narrative of the power of endurance. As we have seen, the goal of this movie is to motivate people to persevere without giving up.
However, it’s essential to ensure that your kids have a healthy viewing experience. Fortunately, there are apps like FlashGet Kids that can help parents manage screen time. With this app, parents can control what their kids view and for how long.
