Review of 'Will'

Will by Will Smith, and Mark Manson

“Will” is the autobiography of one of modern cinema's biggest stars Will Smith. Born in 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania he never really lived a life of poverty but had to overcome a number of hurdles to become successful. Initially his talent for comedy led him into a career in rap where he teamed up with “Jazzy Jeff” and both became very famous. Despite this initial success Will found that his management were underpaying his taxes so was struggling when Quincy Jones encouraged him to read a scene from a sitcom Jones was planning to produce. The reading a success he was cast as the lead in “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” which soon dominated TV screens across the world. His self-confessed obsession with perfection which he partially blames on his parents (“99% is the same as zero”, to quote his father) compelled him forward to becoming a film actor as well with hits including the “Men in Black” series, “Independence Day”, “I, Robot”, the “Bad Boys” series, and “I am Legend”. His obsession with putting his all into his career and feeding his ego caused serious personal issues in his family leading to the eventual realization that perhaps he needed to come to terms with his childhood traumas and really give himself over to his family.

Will Smith is a remarkable person with a charming personality that has driven his massive success but under it all is an obsession that is laid clear in this book. I cannot say I agree with his work ethic, lifestyle choices and the things he states here as fact but it is hard to deny that it seems to have worked for him.

What is clear throughout “Will” is that the man is incredibly full of himself which, I suppose, is easy to understand given that he has been the master of his fate since he was very long and the unbelievable success he has achieved with such a huge personal cost. His drive to be the best - Always doing a bit more than anyone else in the business (“…they work 5 days so I will work 6” sort of attitude) in borderline psychotic though did help him become the star he is. Something in him drives him relentlessly forward to be better and better, to make more and more. Though often told in a jokey manner his continued focus on how successful he has been does grate after a while striking me as more than a bit arrogant and egotistical but it is only when he finally realizes the havoc he has been causing those he loves does he set aside his ego to concentrate on more important personal matters. It was nice to read that he was able to see how his attitude to life was effecting those around him and take action as the denouement here…though he still has a VERY big ego.

A slightly disturbing but insightful glimpse into one of the most successful actors of all time.

Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2024-04-22

Genre: Autobiography

Publisher: Century

Publication Date: 2021

ISBN: 9781529124156