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entertaining u newspaper: your weekly guide to entertainment
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Seen, Heard, Noted & Quoted
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by rick grant
rickgrant01@comcast.net
A PG-13 117 min
Due to circumstances beyond one’s control, anyone can end up broke and on the streets. Bad things happen to good people. This remarkable scenario chronicles the true story of Christopher Gardner, (Will Smith) who, due to a series of unfortunate events, ended up living in a homeless shelter with his son, Christopher, (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith) while he served a no-salary internship with Dean Witter in the early 1980s.
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Indeed, most people would have sunk into a depressed state living under Gardner’s crushing circumstances. However, the hook of screenwriter Steven Conrad’s premise is Gardner’s amazing resilience and positive attitude against all odds. More significantly, Gardner believed in his abilities and was dedicated to his goal of becoming a Wall Street trader.
Nonetheless, once Gardner began his downward spiral, it was an unstoppable runaway train. Yet, he fought it every inch of the way, and persevered. When he couldn’t make an appointment because of some unforseen setback, he always made it right by apologizing and being charming. Gardner’s struggles through his darkest days is an inspiring story that illustrates the power of positive thinking and faith in one’s abilities. He was not going to be beaten by his streak of bad luck, no matter what it took or how hard he had to work. Gardner was going to fulfill his destiny, or die trying.
Will Smith’s portrayal of Gardner is the best since his Ali characterization. He draws the viewer into his misfortune without losing his dignity. His incredible determination in the face of disaster serves as an archetype for challenging situations. Gardner was forced to live in a cheap motel. He was evicted from his motel room for lack of payment. His only option left was to get in line for a homeless shelter that quickly filled up every day. To pacify his son, he cleverly made their homelessness into a game, drawing on his son’s imagination.
Gardner struggled on with his internship and studied for his brokerage license, often staying up all night. By now, he was making significant sales and impressing his bosses. But they would choose only one candidate from his intern group, so he had to do well in every part of his job, including a high score on the test for his license.
Smith as Gardner spends much of the shoot running for buses, appointments, and to work. His wife, a complaining bitch, left him and her son to move to NYC. Gardner had invested his life saving in a new bone density machine business, selling the machines to doctors. But it was a hard sell since it was not much better than an x-ray. So, his only income during his internship was selling these machines in his spare time. When he couldn’t sell a machine he sold his blood for money to eat and feed his son. One night they couldn’t get into the homeless shelter, so he and his son slept on the floor of a bathroom. Remarkably, Gardner never complained, he adjusted to the rapidly changing situations with philosophical acceptance.
Jaden Smith, Will’s son in real life, turned in a remarkable performance for his age. He had convincing chemistry with his father as they ran around the city desperately trying to sell his bone density machines. Will Smith pulled off an inspired performance which audiences will embrace. Given his character’s dire circumstances, Smith’s sense of dignity and purpose characterizing Gardner was an Oscar worthy showcase for this accomplished actor.
Ultimately, this is one of the greatest rags to riches true stories to ever be adapted to screen. Three important factors led to Gardner’s success. First, he had faith in himself, never losing sight of his goal despite the setbacks. Second, he projected a positive attitude which overcame all the negative energy directed his way. And third, Gardner never lost his cool. He was always charming, and won over his bosses at Dean Witter. This is an uplifting film to see during this silly season. And, there was never a holiday reference to schlock up the scenario. More importantly, the film never drifts into maudlin sappiness.
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