CINEMA
Will Smith reveals surprising best movie of his career
The man who won an Oscar in 2022 for ‘King Richard’ has starred in many Hollywood productions, but few could have guessed his ‘best’.
During the promotional tour for ‘Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die’, Will Smith surprised fans and critics alike by naming what he believed was his best film to date. He avoided the obvious choices such as ‘I Am Legend’ (which has a sequel in the works), ‘Men in Black’ (replete with memorable anecdotes), and ‘Independence Day’ (the franchise that couldn’t meet his fee demands), Smith also overlooked his Oscar-nominated performance in ‘Ali’ and his Oscar-winning role in ‘King Richard’ (for which he won the statuette in 2022).
Smith’s Pursuit of Happyness tops the list
“I think the best movie I’ve made, overall, is ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’,” Smith told Indie Wire. “The direction, the cinematography, the music… It all comes together perfectly. Right after that, I’d place ‘Men in Black’. If I had to put four films into a time capsule, I’d also include ‘I Am Legend’ and ‘King Richard’.”
He went on to explain his personal enjoyment during filming: “The most fun I’ve had on a set was with ‘Bad Boys’, ‘Bad Boys II’, and ‘Aladdin’. Those were the most enjoyable experiences for me.”
How to watch ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’?
The film Smith regards as his best work, ‘The Pursuit of Happyness,’ is available on Netflix. Released in 2006, this moving drama earned Smith an Academy Award nomination that year. The film enjoys a solid reception with ratings of 7.4 on FilmAffinity, 8.0 on IMDb, and an intriguing 6.7 on Rotten Tomatoes. It tells the poignant story of a struggling salesman, evicted and left homeless with his five-year-old son, played by Smith’s own son, Jaden. It is a powerful narrative of resilience and the relentless pursuit of a better life, even amidst constant hardship.
Smith’s connection to this story of perseverance and hope was profound, leading him to collaborate again with director Gabriele Muccino on ‘Seven Pounds’ – another heartfelt drama also available on Netflix. Although ‘Seven Pounds’ didn’t make waves during award seasons, it has garnered respectable scores of 7.1 on FilmAffinity, 7.6 on IMDb, and 7.5 from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
It’s fascinating to see how the actor, who first brought laughter to millions as ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’, has carved out a significant niche in his career through deeply emotional and tragic roles.