The Pursuit of Happyness (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Album Review

Andrea Guerra's score for the feel-good drama The Pursuit of Happyness so closely resembles Scottish composer Rolfe Kent's efforts for the earlier About Schmidt that one can only assume the film was tempo-tracked to Kent's quirky, endearing melodies, leaving Guerra little choice but to ape his predecessor. From within these claustrophobically narrow creative confines, Guerra nevertheless manages to generate a few original themes, employing unobtrusive piano and guitar to forge a sweetly romantic and thoughtful approach in lockstep with the remainder of the score — indeed, what's appalling about The Pursuit of Happyness has nothing to do with the quality of the music and everything to do with a "me too" Hollywood mentality that renders even the most innovative ideas stale and predictable via sheer repetition.