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THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS (***1/2) Apparently altered and slightly sanitarized; “The Pursuit of Happyness” chronicles the incredible fact inspired drama about a homeless single-parent father trying to provide a stable life for his five year son while seeking employment. Set during the 1980’s in San Francisco, “Happyness” is a movie that is all about the struggles and sacrifices to overcome against numerous obstacles and setbacks that seems endless (like the countless episodes of TV’s “Good Times” or reminisce of one of those “After School TV specials”), but it does so while avoiding the usual racial clashes and references. Co-producer Will Smith stars in this dramatic turn worthy of Oscar consideration for his emotional yet determined “everyman” performance as real-life Chris Gardner. A married man with an equally employed but tired wife, Lynda (Thandie Newton) and their five yr old son, Christopher (Smith’s real-life son, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith). One day, Chris notices a white man parking his expansive hot sports car outside the business district. He asks the man, “What do you do and how do you do it?” His reply is that he’s a stock broker for an investment firm that isn’t as hard as it sounds, if you are good with numbers and people. And so begins Chris’ newfound quest to improve his lot in life while confronting other obstacles trying to sell those medical machines and the mounting frustration on his wife. Chris fills out an application for an intern position at Dean Witter and begins stalking one of the firm’s partners, Jay Twistle (Brian Howe) for his support. Even though certain aspects of this story and setting seem to have been tampered with to keep the film on a general level and the struggles are not as depicted as gritty as they probably were, in order to avoid being a “turn off” for this eventually uplifting, personal tale. It’s all still quite easy to root for Smith and his true-life character, Chris Gardner who became an investment broker at Dean Witter and later formed his own investment firm that made him a billionaire. “The Pursuit of Happyness” is an inspirational film that makes us feel apathy through the sufferings encountered through Smith’s character performance that can become an emotional tearjerker for what he endures in order to keep his son close as his only reason he’s got to try to succeed. PG-13; 116min.

CHARLOTTE’S WEB (***) his live action remake of the animated feature is unexpectedly given the “Babe” treatment that is delivered with “radiant” results that should please both adults who grew up with the beloved book and this new generation of kids. Based on the E.B. White children’s’ book that was first done as a full length 1973 cartoon feature from Hanna-Barbera that was above average and a departure from their usual TV cartoon character fare. “Charlotte’s Web” is now transformed into a successful, all-star voiced live action / animatronic mixture that remain mostly faithful to the book in this engagingly entertaining screen rendition that retains its charm, humor and innocence. This live action version is slightly modified from the animated original, by the on-screen human presence of Dakota Fanning portraying the idealistic (and almost speaking like an activist) girl, Fern living on a farm who steps in against her father to take care of the smallest rut out of a pig’s litter that was going to be slaughtered. But these acts aren’t committed without sacrifice. Charlotte is dying from her pregnancy and needs a safe place for her 500 plus eggs in a cocoon-like bundle to hatch that Wilbur takes back to the farm. Taking a softer tone, “Charlotte’s Web” delivers its own “circle of life” message that eclipses Disney’s “The Lion King” without the dramatic impact. The film gently displays the importance of tolerance and friendship along with the sorrowfelt devotion to a lost loved one whose spirit lives on in memory by how they lived and touched others away from their prejudicial beliefs. Just like the pig, “Charlotte’s Web’ is “some movie”, a satisfying gem of a movie for the whole family. A wholesomely honest and entertaining experience in which adults should share with their children that lets a child know and understand the miracles in living and experiencing life, along with the true value of death that points to the importance of one’s existence through their effects on others. G; 96min. A Paramount Pictures release – presented at selected theaters David Schultz is film critic for NLCN and other publications. To comment on this article visit our weblog at: www.nlcn.org.