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THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
Directed by John Putch
Written by John Robert Zaring
Produced by Alex-Hyde White
Edited by Vanick Moradian
Cinematography by Ross BerrymanFrank Whaley .... Alan
Annabeth Gish .... Marissa
Amy Jo Johnson .... Tracy
Patrick Van Horn .... Mike
Cress Williams .... Ace
Liz Vassey .... Renee
Alex Hyde-White .... Paul
Dawn Eason .... Janet
Jenn Gross .... Sally
Jean Stapleton .... LorraineAlan (Frank Whaley) is in the fast track. He has a gorgeous girlfriend, Janet (Dawn Eason). A great job with a great boss, Lorraine (Jean Stapleton). He's being offered the career of a lifetime in Seattle. And all his friends like him. Then it hits the fan. He loses the girl, loses his biggest account and his boss threatens to fire him. Basically his life is in a shambles. His best friend since the age of five, Marissa (Annabeth Gish) politely informs him that when it comes to any type of romantic encounters, he is a grade a loser. To help prove the point, he runs into Tracy (Amy Jo Johnson). A perky little brunette that he takes a fancy too. He even invites her to his apartment for a house warming party. This is particularly funny since he's still in the same apartment he's been in for years. During the party he makes a beer run. Tracy shows up and ends up going home with one of his friends. To make it even more interesting, Tracy then invites Alan to coffee. She warns him that she had a fling with the manager of the coffee shop. Sure, enough out comes a woman. Alan does finally realize that Tracy is a hose bag at that point. During all of this his best friend is there for him. Marissa is never more than ten minutes away and very supportive. This is good since her husband, Paul (Alex Hyde-White) wants to call it quits. seems he's got a thing for Janet.
Okay, I usually don't watch romantic comedies. Not really my forte. Sure I've seen AS GOOD AS IT GETS, but that has Nicholson it so it really doesn't count. But for the most part my idea of romantic comedy is when Jason Voorhees accidentally drops the knife while chasing a nubile young wench through the woods and we all laugh. Now that's true comedy. But I digress. THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS works very well for what it is. The quality of cinematography is good. Not outstanding, but competent. The same can be said for the writing, the acting, everything. Not bad. Good, but not Oscar caliber material. That actually works in the film's favor. It makes the characters seem more real. sure we all know Frank Whaley from PULP FICTION ('Do they speak English in What?'), but it doesn't matter. What we get is a workable, believable film. It's not terribly hilarious, but it's got it's moments. There are touching moments as well that work very well. And for all of those people in the world who can't stand romantic comedies, I will give you a completely unrelated reason to see this film. Of course this may only apply to the men in the audience. Amy Jo Johnson was The Pink Ranger in THE MIGHTY MORPHING POWER RANGERS television show. Now in THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS her acting is deplorable. You really just want to smack her every time she opens her mouth. But, it doesn't matter because...SHE GETS NAKED IN THE FILM! As a matter of fact, she's the only one in the entire film to lose their clothes. So for all of you out there that needed to see The Pink Ranger naked then this is the film for you. For the rest of you saner folks, it's a solid, well done film that is definitely worth a look.
Review by Arthur Cassidy