My Favorite Story – Pursuit of Happyness

[Comments On]

I am participating in an MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) called, ‘The Future of Storytelling’ conducted by iversity, a diverse interdisciplinary team from Berlin, Germany. Anyone who wants to tell a good story (which is everyone) can participate and learn – see if you’d want to. This is my first assignment upon completing chapter 1. 

1. Write a summary of your favorite story

My favorite storyThe Pursuit of Happyness (Hollywood movie, 2006).

Summary: Will Smith invests all his life savings into portable x-ray machines, which he attempts to sell to doctors. During this time, his family finds it difficult to make ends meet and his wife leaves him. After some effort, Will Smith manages to keep his son with him.

Thereupon, he faces further difficulties and is forced to vacate his house. He also loses one of his portable x-ray machines trying to run away from a taxi driver. Fortunately, he meets an executive working in a stock-brokerage firm and manages to impress him by solving the Rubik’s cube.

Will Smith feels that getting a job in the stock-brokerage firm will solve all his problems and in spite of shabby appearance in the interview, he still manages to get the job as an intern. However, only one out of 20 interns will eventually be selected for the full-time position and hence he needs to prove himself quickly.

In addition to his professional challenges, he is devastated in his personal life as he becomes broke and is homeless. He finds a day-care center for his son after spending several nights in the railway station restroom. He also finds a shared night-shelter, which offers a bed on first-come-first-served basis, daily. In order to reserve his bed, he is forced to leave office early, everyday.

Eventually, in spite of (or because of) his situation, he finds innovative ways to reach and develop new clients. He struggles through the period of internship and faces a lot of difficulties even while going to give his final ‘exam’, but manages to get the coveted job in the end.

He then proceeds to become a (financially) successful man in life and his (economic) problems are solved.

2. What made this story so special and memorable?

Everything. Right from the first moment, I was hooked to the story. The character of Will Smith is relatable (who doesn’t go through financial difficulties and problems with their career?). His sincere efforts to sell his x-ray machines and his innocent conviction that stock brokers are the happiest people creates a kind of sympathy towards him.

His repeated encounter with problems and his confidence/positive attitude throughout those difficult times gives us a lot of inspiration. If he, in his situation can fight and be positive, why can’t we?

His dogged determination in pursuing his dream (of becoming rich and alleviating his financial problems) starting with almost nothing, gives us hope that it can be done by any of us. Even though life kept pushing him back two steps for each step he took forward, he never loses hope.

I almost cried at the end of this movie due to the realization that it was a true story. This was easily the biggest attraction of this story.

Destination Infinity

16 thoughts on “My Favorite Story – Pursuit of Happyness

  1. SG

    I loved this movie. Will Smith was at his best. He was nominated for Oscar for Best Actor. I feel his son, Jaden, did much better.

    This is the real life story of Chris Gardner. Gardner himself makes a cameo appearance at the end of the movie.

    1. Rajesh K

      Yes, Will Smith’s acting was very mature. Not sure if anyone else could have handled it better than him.

      Destination Infinity

  2. usha menon

    Even though I have not read the book I felt moved after reading the story. I must read it now. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Rajesh K

      Yes, the movie was adapted from a book. I too have not read the book until now – maybe sometime later, I might…

      Destination Infinity

  3. mahesh

    Hi Rajesh,

    Very good 🙂

    I have signed up as well 🙂

    Cheers,
    Mahesh

    1. Rajesh K

      Initially, when I realized that there were so many videos to follow (and that needs BANDWIDTH), I thought I would just see the first video. But, I was impressed with the professionalism shown by the team and they start right at the basics of story-telling, instead of giving us some short-cut or hack.

      We don’t get to listen to these things daily, do we? Besides, only if we get the basics right can we ever write a good story!

      Destination Infinity

  4. Anu

    This is one of my favorite movies. And a best one from Will Smith.

    1. Rajesh K

      Well, I have not seen many movies of Will Smith, but I sure love this one 🙂

      Destination Infinity

  5. Shilpa Garg

    I have seen so many quotable quotes from this movie. I so want to see this one.
    It is wonderful that you are doing this course… I signed up for it… but didnt check the first chapter! 😛

    1. Rajesh K

      Check it when you have time – no hurries – all the chapters will be available until the course ends sometime in mid-dec.

      Destination Infinity

  6. Avada Kedavra

    This is one of my all time favourite movies.. Will Smith’s acting was too good. Even his son acted really well. Do you remember that scene where they spend a night at the station bathroom? That scene brings tears in my eyes everytime I watch it.

    1. Rajesh K

      I need to see this movie again – I don’t seem to remember a few scenes clearly! 🙂

      Destination Infinity

  7. Rachna Chhabria

    I need to see this movie. Had not heard of the MOOC, will check it up.

    Btw, regarding your question on my blog, I am not doing NaNo, too many other things vying for my time. Good luck with NaNo 🙂

    Happy Diwali!

    1. Rajesh K

      Do take up the MOOC. I like it so far. The only issue is, they have so many videos and I have limited bandwidth!

      Destination Infinity

  8. Nancy

    Loved the movie but didn’t know it was adapted from a book. Will keep a lookout for it. Good luck with your endevour DI 🙂

    1. Rajesh K

      Ha, that reminds me. I am yet to go through the third chapter videos. I will do them shortly 🙂

      Destination Infinity

Leave a Reply to Rajesh K Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *