10 Massively Underrated 2000s Movie Performances

10. Will Smith - The Pursuit Of Happyness

Well, Will Smith’s acting credits really speak for themselves, don’t they? Since his humble beginnings with The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, he’s gone on to perform a great variety of high-profile roles, proving his range multiple times over along the way.

Deadshot in Suicide Squad, the Genie in Aladdin, Del Spooner in I, Robot, Doctor Robert Neville in I Am Legend, even Jim West in Wild Wild West (though he’s probably repressed that last one and wishes we all could too)… Smith is one of those actors who simply commands the camera in every scene, regardless of the role he’s playing. Somehow, though, one of his greatest and most touching performances doesn’t get the appreciation it really should.

In 2006’s The Pursuit Of Happyness, Smith plays the role of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who is left homeless (along with his son, Christopher, played by Jaden Smith) and most overcome all odds to get himself back onto his feet as a stockbroker. Based on a true story, the movie is far from the action-packed one-liner-laden films we often associate with Smith, but the performance sees him at his emotional best.

While he received both a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination for best actor in the role, he didn’t win either. A wonderful movie that belies its subject matter.