The Pursuit of Happyness, the 2006 film featuring acting icon Will Smith, manifests the social class present within the '80's. Inspired by a true story, the dramatic film both agrees and disagrees with readings presented in class. Ideas supported in the movie include the large gap between classes, the effects of class on economic success, and the connection between wealth and power. However, The Pursuit of Happyness opposes the notion of equal opportunity, as discussed greatly in class and in the readings.
Taking place in San Francisco in the early 1980's, Will Smith takes on the role of Christopher Gardner, a struggling salesman. Gardner had heavily invested in a device called a "Bone Density scanner," but hospitals were not interested, making it hard for Gardner to sell (The Pursuit of Happyness). While he continues attempts to sell them, his wife leaves him, he loses his house, and he is essentially broke. Gardner and his son are now forced to live on the streets before coming across an internship as a stockbroker at Dean Witter. However, this internship is without pay, and six months of training is required for Gardner to be in consideration for the job. Selling his devices for money during the months of training, Gardner is chosen out of all internees to have the fulltime position as a stockbroker, thus enabling Gardner the ability to provide for himself and his son. .
One aspect of social class that corresponds with the Pursuit of Happyness is the sharp contrast between the rich and the poor. In Gregory Mantsios's article entitled "Class in America", he claims this point as one of his 'realities' of social class, stating, "With one third of the American population living at one extreme or the other, it is difficult to argue that we live in a classless society" (Mantsios, 191). This gap can be seen directly through the differences in living of Chris Gardner, Jay Twistle – a manager at Dean Witter, and the other head employees of the firm.
