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BY CHRISTOPHER J. TROILO
UMConnection Movie Reviewer

Imagine you?re homeless. Shut your eyes and try to even conceive the thought that tonight, in the cold, you have no place of protection to sleep, no hot meal at the end of the day, no shower and worst of all, nothing you can do about it. Now imagine being a parent in that situation, trying to care for what?s most precious to you.

Personally, I can?t do it. Not because I don?t want to, but really, it?s impossible for any of us to even begin to imagine what a person who either is or has been homeless might have experienced.

What we can and should do, is remind ourselves that this awful plight exists and is very real for many people, and that they need our help. Gabriele Muccino?s 'Pursuit of Happyness' is one of those reminders in a very touching and emotional way.

'Happyness' is inspired by the true story of a San Francisco man named Chris Gardner who in the early 1980s was struggling to provide for himself and his family. At the beginning of the film, Gardner is barely scraping by as an unsuccessful bone density scanner salesman.

When he informs his wife that he is going to apply for an internship at a major stock brokerage company, she loses all hope and leaves him, giving him custody of their son, Christopher.

Gardner soon begins the competitive internship, but it is unpaid, and so his mounting debt overcomes him and his son. As a result, they are forced to take refuge wherever they can find it, which includes bathroom stalls in train stations.

The Gardners had literally no support, no one to fall back on, except one source which today Chris credits as a reason why he was able to overcome his distressing circumstances.

When I first came on board the UMConnection as a movie reviewer, I thought about how rare it was that The Methodist Church was depicted in film. I had a hard time recalling any instances where the denomination was portrayed, at least in any prominent role in cinema. Well, now there?s a film which will allow all members of the Methodist community to have pride in their faith.

In 1981, the Rev. Cecil Williams was the pastor of Glide Memorial UMC in San Francisco when Chris Gardner showed up at the door. Glide was (and is still) known for taking in people off the street, giving them a place to sleep and a meal to eat.

In 'Pursuit of Happyness' this portion of Chris? life is shown wonderfully, as the church and Williams (who plays himself) provide the necessary encouragement and inspiration for Gardner to keep following his dreams.

This truly shows the real mission of the church and it?s wonderful to see a tale of actual positive results.

'Pursuit of Happyness' provides wonderful material for youth group activities and discussions, before or after viewing.

Some topics youth leaders may want to consider is to ask the youth to describe what a homeless person 'looks like.'

In 'Happyness,' Chris Gardner is almost always wearing a suit, well groomed, and walking tall - not the typical image of someone living on the street. It would be interesting to have a discussion about appearances and what we really notice about the people we may see or interact with in our daily lives.

Some other discussions could include the analysis of the side characters, as in who we are most like. Are we like the Rev. Cecil Williams, actively making a difference? Are we like the rent collectors, trying to run a business and, if so, should we be more sympathetic? Or are we like Chris? bosses who are ignorant and unaware and, if so, is this by choice?

'Happyness' is a wonderful film, not just because it is a heart-warming emotional true story, but due to the realness Will Smith and his real-life son Jaden exude. The chemistry and passion these two actors have is remarkable and will definitely touch you exactly as they mean to.

This is a fantastic movie that all ages can see, enjoy and come away from with raised awareness. It will also remind you that the human spirit is near-infinitely powerful when it is used to achieve a goal of love.

9.1 out of 10

Questions and comments to the writer are encouraged. He can be reached by e-mail at