The Pursuit of Happyness is a loosely based true story of Chris Gardner, who found himself down, dirty, and desperate on the streets of San Francisco---accompanied by his 5-year-old son, Christopher.

This rags-to-riches story, played by Will Smith, scores high on the inspirational message scale.

It's actually a big dose of sorrow topped off by some last-minute happiness--and I do mean happiness.

From the trailers, this appears to be a maudlin tear-jerker with no redemption.

But, as it turns out, this is a well-directed tale of desperation and determination.

Based on a true story, Will Smith turns on the charm to protect the one good thing left in his crumbling life--his son.

The film has its ups and downs, but, in the end, it's a feel-good movie with plenty of heart.

The movie, Pursuit of Happyness, is about the struggles of a father raising a son and getting ahead, despite horrific personal circumstances.

It's the classic rags-to-riches true story of Christopher Gardner, a self-made millionaire who endured poverty and homelessness that would have broken the spirit of almost any other man.

He is now is the chief executive of Gardner, Rich & Company, a multi-million-dollar brokerage firm with offices in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.