REEL FANS:Convincing performances, useful lessons

EDITORS NOTE: A Daily Pilot staffer went to Edwards Metro Pointe 12 to get moviegoers’ opinions of “The Pursuit of Happyness,” starring Will Smith, Thandie Newton and Jaden Smith, the 8-year-old son of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.

In 1981, after pouring their life savings into a home business selling bone-density scanners, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) and his wife Linda (Thandie Newton) struggle to make ends meet on the meager sales from the machines.

When Gardner decides to apply for an internship — an unpaid, six-month internship — at a prestigious stock brokerage firm where only one person in his group of 20 will be hired when it’s over, his wife leaves him to manage on his own and care for their young son, Christopher (Jaden Smith).

“I thought the movie was good. It was a little depressing as it went along, but, of course, it had the good ending. Will Smith played a good character, and I would imagine that little kid [Jaden Smith] will have quite a future as an actor because he’s a pretty good actor right now.

“I liked the ending — you hoped that it would turn out that way, but, of course, life doesn’t always turn out that way. For me, it was that he focused on what he needed to do to achieve what he wanted to do. It was a transition in his life — he focused on it and achieved it.”

Gene McDown

Temecula

“I thought the movie was really good — I thought the acting was superb. I thought the little boy [Jaden Smith] was really good, and it was believable, which was the main thing. You could really tell how much they struggled being homeless, and it just makes you feel very fortunate for what you have.

“My favorite part was the part in the cab when he [Will Smith’s character] does the Rubik’s cube, and just showing his determination for wanting the job so badly.”

Danelle Peterson

Costa Mesa

“I thought the movie was great. I thought the acting was good. Will Smith has always been a favorite of mine, but I think he can play such a variety of parts and do a good job with all of them. The [relationship] between his son and him was so sincere. Struggles to get ahead in this world are so hard, and I think it made you really realize that if you work hard you can get there. I liked the part where the little boy really showed the love that he had for his dad — of reaching up and interacting with him, and the dad reaching back. It showed the sincere devotion between the two of them.”

Sharon Grady

Costa Mesa

“I thought the movie was really good. It had some sad parts in it, and I cried because I’m an easy crier. The part that made me cry was when the boy lost his toy — that was horrible. I thought the little boy’s [Jaden Smith] acting was believable. He showed a lot of good emotion in the scenes — he can cry very well on camera.”

Chelsea Peterson

Costa Mesa

“G reat movie. Very feel-good movie. Will Smith was amazing, as was his son. I like the fact that it was a true story. I think it was an Academy-award-nominated performance for Will Smith.”

Arlene Hecht

Laguna Niguel