Discernment Trend Over? Hard To Say

Weekend boxoffice winner "The Pursuit of Happyness" may not be the most rigorous, or even believable, uplifting "true story" Hollywood has ever made. But there's a certain, well-made quality to its portrayal of a homeless aspiring stockbroker, and Will Smith and his son Jaden give credible enough performances that don't fall back on what is obviously a fathoms-deep genetic pool of charm. So, if you've gotta have your feelgood fakery, you could do worse.
The fact that "Happyness" beat twin childish things "Eragon" and "Charlotte's Web" could mean that this weird fall trend of moviegoers actually preferring good work is still in effect. If smart, passionate cinema really was governing the box office, though, "Borat," Bond and "Apocalypto" wolud still be at the top of the chart.