The Pursuit Of Happyness: A film Around The struggle Of Homelessness

by Nafissatou Yattassaye, Volunteer Writer and Reporter at Mentor A Promise

Close up of old English dictionary page with word happiness by TungCheung

The Pursuit of Happyness, filmed in 2006, directed by Gabriele Muccino and written by Steve Conrad, is a compelling and emotional film that focuses on the issues of homelessness in a busy city. Set in San Francisco, the film follows Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who struggles to raise his young son, Christopher, both played by Will Smith and Chris Smith. Through Gardner’s experience, the film reveals how homelessness exists not only on the margins of society but within the everyday rhythm of city life. This film is a true testament to life in fast-moving areas and the sacrifices and struggles those in these positions face on a daily basis, reflecting a full year of struggle with homelessness. The city is always moving, with packed sidewalks, packed buses, corporate offices, and shelters, which form a powerful backdrop in the 1980s that represents both opportunity and exclusion one would face. This film takes place during a time of economic decline and the highest number of unemployed throughout the U.S.

San Francisco, as seen throughout the film, is a city full of promise for Gardner and his son at first. This environment was seen as an opportunity for Gardner. In 1981, Chris invested his entire life savings to try to persuade people to purchase his newest design and invention. However, the film exposes the harsh contradiction of this belief. While the city thrives economically, Gardner struggles to secure basic necessities, including housing, childcare, and food. His homelessness unfolds quietly among millions of people rushing to work, exposing how individuals experiencing housing insecurity often become invisible in busy cities.

One of the film’s most striking elements is how it shows homelessness as a gradual descent rather than an instant collapse. Gardner does not become homeless due to laziness or lack of ambition, but because of systemic challenges such as unstable employment and the high cost of living. Scenes of him rushing between work, daycare, and shelter lines illustrate how urban life leaves little room for error. That is, in a fast-paced city, missing a bus, being late to work, or lacking childcare can have devastating consequences. This represents real-world homelessness in major cities, where structural barriers commonly outweigh individual effort.

In comparison to the homelessness ratio and concern in NYC, this remains an ongoing problem. In an earlier article Every Child Deserves A Place To Call Home, I covered that according to many news reports, including amNY, last year alone, 154,000 NYC students were homeless. That number is equivalent to 1 in 7 students enrolled in the New York City public school system. There are many alternative reasons for this issue, given the affordable housing crisis, families having to constantly move from shelter to shelter, gentrification, and more that are yet to be uncovered. However, nonprofit organizations such as Mentor A Promise are dedicated to helping families and students in these predicaments to have access to both in-person and online support with academic and emotional support, bridging gaps and building connections.

Mentor A Promise is an organization that is focused on improving the lives of families and children throughout NYC. Through one-on-one mentorship, children gain both academic and life skills through MAP Roots and MAP Connect.

Please be sure to check out Mentor A Promise on LinkedIn and Instagram to find out more ways to help and get involved!