The Pursuit of Happiness

Year: 1971

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Mulligan

Drama

William Popper, the son of a stockbroker, is profoundly disillusioned with the system that raised him. After accidentally hitting a pedestrian with his car, he could prove his innocence, yet his contempt drives him to accept a manslaughter sentence, using the punishment as a statement against the world he despises.

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Timeline & Setting – The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Pursuit of Happiness (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:14

Main Characters – The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)

Meet the key characters of The Pursuit of Happiness (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:14

Major Themes – The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)

Explore the central themes of The Pursuit of Happiness (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:14

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Self-Destructive Stories Like The Pursuit of Happiness

Characters who deliberately sabotage their own lives as a form of protest.If you were captivated by the protagonist's self-destructive rejection of privilege in The Pursuit of Happiness, explore more movies about characters who intentionally sabotage their lives. These films share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a focus on moral crisis and societal critique.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a character from a position of comfort or advantage who becomes so disillusioned that they actively choose a path of suffering. This journey is often a slow, steady descent into a punitive system—like prison or poverty—that they use as a stage for their protest, leading to an ambiguous and morally complex resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared focus on a specific character arc: the intellectual or moral rebellion manifested as self-sabotage. They consistently feature a dark, intense tone, heavy emotional themes, and a pacing that builds claustrophobic tension as the character's chosen downfall unfolds.

Claustrophobic System Thrillers Like The Pursuit of Happiness

Stories of individuals being slowly crushed by impersonal, oppressive systems.For viewers who appreciated the grim, methodical tension of the legal and prison system in The Pursuit of Happiness, this collection features similar movies about individuals trapped by oppressive institutions. These dramas and thrillers share a dark, anxious mood and a steady, relentless pace.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves an individual entering a complex system (like a court, prison, or asylum) often through a single mistake or accident. The story then focuses on their struggle to survive or escape as the system's rules and dangers methodically strip away their autonomy, leading to a climax that is often ambiguous or bleak.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their setting and mood: they use the environment of a large, impersonal institution to generate a consistent feeling of claustrophobia and anxiety. They share a dark tone, steady pacing that builds unease, and themes of injustice and alienation.

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The Pursuit of Happiness Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Pursuit of Happiness, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Pursuit of Happiness Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Pursuit of Happiness with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Pursuit of Happiness Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About The Pursuit of Happiness

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Pursuit of Happiness: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to The Pursuit of Happiness

Discover movies like The Pursuit of Happiness that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.