Movie Titles: An Exercise in What's Right

**CosmicPal** · 12-26-2006, 11:21 PM

We watched Pursuit of Happyness this afternoon. Good movie. Inspiring and touching.

One question though: At the beginning of the film, the film indicated it was INSPIRED by a true story.

That's nothing new. But, what I want to know is this- what's the difference between INSPIRED by a true story and BASED upon a true story?

Both are vague. Is it a matter of preference? Or is there a definitive difference between the two? Anyone know? Or care to elaborate?

**cdcox** · 12-26-2006, 11:24 PM

"Based" carries a stronger connection than "Inspired", IMHO.

**noa** · 12-26-2006, 11:24 PM

I think being inspired by a true story gives you more creative license than being based on a true story.

Deberg_1990 · 12-26-2006, 11:25 PM

Inspired to me means they took a hell of alot of liberties with the facts. For dramatic purposes or manipulation.

**CosmicPal** · 12-26-2006, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noa949

I think being inspired by a true story gives you more creative license than being based on a true story.

I agree. However, the Pursuit of Happyness is based on the best-selling true life memoir of Chris Gardner. (I think that's the correct name).

So, if the movie is based off the book- then why didn't they say BASED on a true story?

Since they said, Inspired by a true story, does this mean they altered a great deal from the book to the movie?

**007** · 12-26-2006, 11:47 PM

None of it really ever happened.

Halfcan · 12-27-2006, 12:22 AM

I like how every book is a "Best-seller"

**007** · 12-27-2006, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

I like how every book is a "Best-seller"

Every book is a best seller....

for that particular book.

**the Talking Can** · 12-27-2006, 12:34 AM

it'a a matter of royalties

BIG_DADDY · 12-27-2006, 01:28 AM

Watched it tonight as well. There are some things that are definately a reach in that story. I'll tell you though after being in taht field for awhile it really is very hard to make it in that business at any real level. IF I had known it was gong to be this hard I would have done something else. The next couple years should everything not blow up it will finally start becoming worth it. Even he sold out to have his liquidity event. Bet you he still isn't in the business either.

**luv** · 12-27-2006, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicPal

I agree. However, the Pursuit of Happyness is based on the best-selling true life memoir of Chris Gardner. (I think that's the correct name).

So, if the movie is based off the book- then why didn't they say BASED on a true story?

Since they said, Inspired by a true story, does this mean they altered a great deal from the book to the movie?

Did the character's name change from the book to the movie? To me if something is based on a true story, then the characters are the same. Actors even study the person they are representing to better mimmick they're actions/habits. If is is inspired by a true story, then the plot in similar, but they have changed names and the actors have more freedom in developing the character however they interpret them.

BIG_DADDY · 12-27-2006, 01:44 AM

There were several things that were not accurate.

1. Brokerages don't give their own series 7 exams.
2. Nobody ever asks you to give them a call so they can discuss giving you money. At least not anybody that has real money.
3. He could never bring his kid to day care and pick him up before 5. You are in at 6:30 AM on the West coast and you wouldn't leave until 6 PM or later especially back then being an intern.
4. You don't close accounts as an intern it's illegal.

The most realistic part was the tickets in SF, it's absolutely horrible.

**CosmicPal** · 12-27-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Did the character's name change from the book to the movie? To me if something is based on a true story, then the characters are the same.

The movie was based on the real life experiences of Chris Gardner. The names of the protagonist and his son did not change. So, if what you are saying is true, then the movie should have said, "Based on a true story."

Quote:

If is is inspired by a true story, then the plot in similar, but they have changed names and the actors have more freedom in developing the character however they interpret them.

The names were not altered. I'm sure events and circumstances were altered because not all true-life films are entirely true. Which makes this all the more confusing. I honestly believe that "based" and "inspired" mean the same thing- it's just a matter of how the film's producers wish to entitle it.

crazycoffey · 12-27-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

Every book is a best seller....

for that particular book.

please do not do anything but post in every thread and on every page, because I do not think I will ever tire of watching DT come untouched of the end and smack the Denver QB (is that steve burlein, or however you spell it?)

**dirk digler** · 12-27-2006, 10:54 AM

I watched the movie last weekend and I was really disappointed. It has be one of the most boring movies I have ever watched.

12-26-2006, 11:21 PM
CosmicPal Learn it. Know it. Live it. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Casino cash: $10004900	Movie Titles: An Exercise in What's Right We watched Pursuit of Happyness this afternoon. Good movie. Inspiring and touching. One question though: At the beginning of the film, the film indicated it was INSPIRED by a true story. That's nothing new. But, what I want to know is this- what's the difference between INSPIRED by a true story and BASED upon a true story? Both are vague. Is it a matter of preference? Or is there a definitive difference between the two? Anyone know? Or care to elaborate?
Posts: 10,840

12-26-2006, 11:24 PM	#2
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2341769	"Based" carries a stronger connection than "Inspired", IMHO.
Posts: 45,536

12-26-2006, 11:24 PM	#3
noa Band Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $1585453	I think being inspired by a true story gives you more creative license than being based on a true story. __________________ Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes, well, he eats you.
Posts: 8,302

12-26-2006, 11:25 PM	#4
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Inspired to me means they took a hell of alot of liberties with the facts. For dramatic purposes or manipulation. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 66,914

12-26-2006, 11:47 PM	#6
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14060126 VARSITY	None of it really ever happened. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,554

12-27-2006, 12:22 AM	#7
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	I like how every book is a "Best-seller"
Posts: 43,200

12-27-2006, 12:34 AM	#9
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	it'a a matter of royalties __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

12-27-2006, 01:28 AM	#10
BIG_DADDY THE RED MENACE Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texas Casino cash: $5068410	Watched it tonight as well. There are some things that are definately a reach in that story. I'll tell you though after being in taht field for awhile it really is very hard to make it in that business at any real level. IF I had known it was gong to be this hard I would have done something else. The next couple years should everything not blow up it will finally start becoming worth it. Even he sold out to have his liquidity event. Bet you he still isn't in the business either. __________________ The diabolical genius of Marxism-Socialism is that it provides the emotional and intellectual road map for autocrats to persuade millions of people to support their own enslavement to government. ~Mark Levin April 15, 2019
Posts: 32,384

12-27-2006, 01:44 AM	#12
BIG_DADDY THE RED MENACE Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texas Casino cash: $5068410	There were several things that were not accurate. 1. Brokerages don't give their own series 7 exams. 2. Nobody ever asks you to give them a call so they can discuss giving you money. At least not anybody that has real money. 3. He could never bring his kid to day care and pick him up before 5. You are in at 6:30 AM on the West coast and you wouldn't leave until 6 PM or later especially back then being an intern. 4. You don't close accounts as an intern it's illegal. The most realistic part was the tickets in SF, it's absolutely horrible. __________________ The diabolical genius of Marxism-Socialism is that it provides the emotional and intellectual road map for autocrats to persuade millions of people to support their own enslavement to government. ~Mark Levin April 15, 2019
Posts: 32,384

12-27-2006, 10:54 AM	#15
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $3244644	I watched the movie last weekend and I was really disappointed. It has be one of the most boring movies I have ever watched.
Posts: 66,284