Brian Damage
01-14-2007, 09:49 PM
HOLLYWOOD - The woman who inspired Thandie Newton's character in Will Smith's new movie The Pursuit of Happyness is furious she has been portrayed as a sex-obsessed and cruel mother in the film.
The film is about Chris Gardner's--played by Smith--struggle to raise his son on the streets of San Francisco after they were abandoned by his partner, before he turns his life around to become a multi-millionaire stockbroker.
Gardner's former partner Jackie Medina insists the film--adapted by Gardner's book--is fictional and she fears people will believe the her onscreen portrayal.
She says, "This is a film. It has nothing to do with reality. It is not a documentary. It does not document life. Of course they got it wrong. It's an awful movie. I am a consulting a lawyer to see what I can do.
"This is not fair at all. I've been to see the film and I hated it. This story is not about me. My big worry is that as Will Smith is so popular in America and this film is such a big hit, everyone will be against me. What chance do I really have?
"This film was a real low point for Will Smith in my opinion. I thought much better of him. Now...everyone is talking about this. But what can I do?"
The film is about Chris Gardner's--played by Smith--struggle to raise his son on the streets of San Francisco after they were abandoned by his partner, before he turns his life around to become a multi-millionaire stockbroker.
Gardner's former partner Jackie Medina insists the film--adapted by Gardner's book--is fictional and she fears people will believe the her onscreen portrayal.
She says, "This is a film. It has nothing to do with reality. It is not a documentary. It does not document life. Of course they got it wrong. It's an awful movie. I am a consulting a lawyer to see what I can do.
"This is not fair at all. I've been to see the film and I hated it. This story is not about me. My big worry is that as Will Smith is so popular in America and this film is such a big hit, everyone will be against me. What chance do I really have?
"This film was a real low point for Will Smith in my opinion. I thought much better of him. Now...everyone is talking about this. But what can I do?"