As the lights dim and one prepares to enjoy oneself at the theatre the very first images that greet the audience are visions of everyday life in the city of San Francisco. These scenes provide a sense of joy and oppression, wealth and poverty, and most importantly of all the contrast of those who enjoy the stability of a regular job and those that must take the courage to rise everyday only to fall down in an unending battle to better oneself. In this mass of confusion and continuous struggle to survive one finds Chris Gardner, Will Smith, a medical supplies salesman that is reaching the end of his rope in financial debt and sound mind.
As the story progresses the audience watches as Mr. Gardner goes through the motions of a modern day Shakespearean play. The whole tragedy and triumph element is also evident throughout the play in his interior and exterior struggles with society causing the audience to feel great emotion and empathy. One cannot help but be carried away on a roller coaster of emotion with Mr. Gardner.
Although one can admit that the story is in itself an insightful illustration into the life of a lower class citizen one has to also attribute some of the praise toward Mr. Smith's portrayal of Mr. Gardner. His skill in acting truly shines through on account of the fact that he has taken more of a comedic role throughout his career rather than dramatic. This change in acting style is quite smooth however in the sense that from beginning to end the audience's attention is captured by the reality of the events unfolding on the screen.
