Pursuit of Happyness

Title: Pursuit of Happyness

Date: 2006

Media type: Film

Format: Clip

Category: Families in Society, Internal Dynamics of Families, Family Resource Management, Parenting

Keywords: work and family, family demographics, response to crises, decision-making, financial management, parent-child relationships

Rating: PG-13

Audience(s): High School Age, College Age, Adults, Parents

Language: English

Film/Episode Summary: Chris Gardner is a down on his luck guy who ends up losing his livelihood, home, money, and wife and lives on the streets with his son. The movie follows his attempt to get steady work and sell a bone-density scanner he has helped create. The story focuses on Chris Gardner’s work ethic and drive to make a better life for him and his son.

Clip Description: In this scene Chris Gardner has been brought into jail on unpaid parking tickets. He has barely enough to pay his tickets, but as he only has a check he ends up having to wait the night in jail so they can clear the check before they release him. As he is unable to leave he has to call someone to watch his son against his instincts. In addition to having to find care for his son he also has a job interview in the morning for a good job but is in work clothes that are covered in paint.

Comments or Recommendations for Teaching: What role does keeping Gardner in jail do to his life? How, if at all, does imprisoning someone for minor charges help the individual, the city, or the police department? Do you think this scene speak to the cycle of incarceration and poverty?

Places to view: Youtube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play, Itunes, Crackle

Contributor: Ian Brunzell-Looney