I just have to vent a little. I thought this would be an ok place to do it. Anyone else seen this movie? I left this movie last night crazy angry. I couldn't stop thinking about it and needed somewhere to vent. Only in America will a movie like this be made. I understand that this is a true story being told, but the way in which this movie was made is crazy. This move equated money to happiness. SPOILER AHEAD! At the end of this movie all it says is how much money he has made, not if he is actually happy. At one point, he sees all the people coming out of the stock broker place and he sees them and says, "They are all so happy" Never does it really talk about happiness in any other way. I think of all the other people in other countries that don't have any money and are so happy. I understand that in America it seems like this can't be done, I believe this is a very sad state of being for America. What about all those people that are living on the street that are never given the opportunity to make it? I want to do some research and see what he, in real life, has done with all the money he has now earned. Has he given others a second chance like he was given? Or has he just horded it to make him happy? Anyone else seen this movie and have similar reactions? Oh, yeah, and Merry Christmas. Let the real joy of God's Incarnation fill you and not the getting of stuff like this movie says.

Thanks for posting this. I was excited by the trailer for the movie but then read a review when it first came out that said basically what you just did. I'll definitely pass on this one.

how disappointing...i really was looking forward to seeing this.

Yeah, I was slightly disappointed in that aspect. I think they focused on some of the wrong things. I suppose that if the title didn't contain "Happyness" it wouldn't have been as big of a deal. I realize that they really did put too much of an emphasis on this.

But.....at the same time, I think that we would like to think that money has nothing to do with happiness, when I don't believe that it's necessarily the case. Maybe it's not even having money, but I think that owing a lot of money can make people unhappy....especially if they can't pay it back. You become a slave to whomever it is that you owe money.

So I saw it as more of his journey in gaining freedom. He gained more than that, but I think some of his relief just came from being able to stop owing.

Oh, and apparently he gives. http://www.generocitymag.com/Pages/thisissue.html

Not for anything, but this was a good movie. All the stuff? You mean like a bed to sleep on and a solid meal? I saw zero materialism in this movie, especially from the main character.

I dunno ... my only beef was I wonder if the story would have been told had he "only" reached, say, moderate career success. Probably not.

But if you've ever had to overcome persistent poverty or serial, total insecurity, then you'll see beyond these things. I couldn't disagree more, it speaks of happiness throughout the film ... it's just a little quiet than the obvious.

This film has nothing to do with god, and it wasn't advertised that way. It's a solid American film with fine, fine acting and an inspirational story.

The movie does not "say how much money he made", simply how much he sold his company for. And it's about the Pursuit of Happiness, I might add, not true happiness in and of itself ... major message in this film.

i actually enjoyed the film, for what that's worth.

* bump *

Go out and see it!

I just watched this movie. I loved it. The biggest thing I took from it is always be thankful for what you have everyday and always be the best person you can be even through whatever your struggles might be.

{{{{{{{THIS POST IS WROUGHT WITH SPOILERS}}}}}}}}

Man, I just finished this one. I did not remember reading the above comments until now and couldn't disagree more. This was a gut-wrenching movie to watch (for me). I was literally worn out by the end.

This movie was not about the pursuit of wealth at all (IMO). I've never been where this guy was, but I've been close a few times. I think I've felt that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach for weeks and months on end... wondering if we'll have food and shelter. Wondering what we'll do for transportation. I'll never forget the day I had to turn in (read: voluntary re-possession) our van. It was either turn in the van or lose the house.

I experienced that same feeling again as I watched this movie tonight. I remembered what it was like. The hopelessness. Yet still trying to put the best face on it for my family. Taking on the pain myself so that my family could breathe.

When they said at the end "this part of my life is happiness", I don't think it was just the money. Not at all. This was genuine relief! Relief in not having to spend another night in a subway bathroom. Or having your worldly possessions thrown to the curb. Of having to worry about what was going to happen next. Sure the guy got wealthy, but before that he got happy. The wealth was just icing on the cake and wasn't even part of the actual movie! No, this was about taking satisfaction in sticking to your guns (in raising his son under the most trying circumstances) and doing the right thing and FINALLY getting a victory. I thought the observations on Jefferson were wonderful btw. The "pursuit" of happiness. Was awesome to be able to see this guy get his share (although I believe he had some real moments of it during his struggles).

To me, this movie was about being able to breathe again. I found it to be a real breath of fresh air from hollywood (pardon the terminology).

Kudos.
J

The gentlemen the movie was based on was on a Canadian TV show called 'The Hour' this past week. Really interesting, I'm adding this to my must rent list now and the book looks interesting as well.

My favorite part was him talking about kids having too much stuff. He said we need to 'start taking shit back from our kids' to avoid a life of 'entitlement'.