Seven Pounds (2008)
An IRS agent with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.
First of all, do not read the synopsis! Go into the movie with a clear mind and be clueless about the plot of the movie. (Especially the synopsis on this page...just don't do it! Look away!)
This movie is like a puzzle, with a lot of flash backs and scenes that don't make senes right away. However, as you progess through the movie, you discover who Will Smith's character really his - his history and past, and what he plans to do with his future.
It may be easy to guess what the climax of the movie will be fairly early on, but if you don't there is one critical part when everything will click.
The movie has a bittersweet ending, and be ready for some tears! However, it was absolutely excellent.
Side Note - I went to the premiere for Seven Pounds in London, and Will Smith announced to the crowed that he hoped we all enjoyed the movie, as it is very different from other movies he has done. I believe he was right and he did a fantastic job. His acting was flawless.
Will Smith stars as a man who's out to help seven strangers in need. Three of them are Rosario Dawson who needs a heart transplant, Woody Harrelson who's blind and Barry Pepper who was his friend for years.
The movie is moving and Smith has great chemistry with Dawson. But I knew where it was headed by the middle of the film. I kept hoping it wouldn't go there but it does. The end still got to me even if I tried to hold back the tears as hard as I could. Just don't watch Seven Pounds and Marley & Me back to back.
At The Movies
Seven Pounds (PG)
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Stars: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson
Studio: Columbia
Release Date: Dec. 25, 2008
Audience Suitability: PG
Rating: * * *
Running Time: 118 Minutes
Good Intentions!
By ROBERT WALDMAN
Pound for pound, Will Smith is unquestionably the biggest star in the universe. Everything he touches seems to turn to gold. Besides being a great actor Will is an unwavering humanitarian. Good will to all mankind doesn’t just stop when Christmas ends. That spirit of giving lies at the heart of Seven Pounds, the latest drama from Columbia Pictures. Last year director Gabriele Muccino for all practical purposes burst onto North American cinema screens with surprise hit The Pursuit of Happyness, earning Smith accolades. Again both men reteam for this higher purpose drama getting audiences to rethink their own humanity at TInseltown (on Pender, free parking), Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City cites across B.C.
Boy wonder Ben Thomas seems to be the toast of the IRS. All Americans dread the Internal Revenue Service but you can’t help but like Ben’s outgoing personality. Looks, however, can be deceiving. Our friendly government agent holds some very deep, dark secrets. Just what’s eating away at this guy gets somewhat masked as during his day to day activities things take a considerable turn.
Good Samaritans are few and far between. At first glance this professional seems anything but. Later on, however, we see the lengths this guy will go to help those in need. During his regular work day Ben manages to contact a select group of clients who seem to be in over their heads. Among these folks are a blind man, a sick woman and a struggling mother of two.
For 118 minutes we get to see how this selfless man manages to help these poor souls, along with others. Though some have called Seven Pounds a depressing, downer of a movie there always is a silver lining in most stories. Here the goodness shines through not in a contrived, calculated way but in a spirit of the heart, offering hope and renewal.
As always, Will Smith (Independence Day) gives the quality, caring performance you’d expect of a tax man with a heart. Rare is such a find but with Ben Thomas you’ve got the ultimate life saver. Just what made Ben such a dog gone good guy is revealed poignantly in this story that never truly gets you down. Besides Smith’s good work cudos go out to the co-stars, particularly Rosario Dawson (Eagle Eye) who shines as Emily Rosa, a woman ill with some pretty heady problems of her own. Come to think of it, lots of folks have problems in this movie, but audiences shouldn’t for a second.
Campbell River’s own Barry Pepper (Flags of our Father) nicely fills out the role of Dan, one of Ben’s friends with Michael Ealy (Miracle at St. Anna) rising to the occasion as a family member. Any time you play a person with a physical constraint it’s not easy to pull off the part with compassion but Woody Harrelson (No Country for Old Men) is equal to the challenge as Ezra Turner, a man of many talents despite having some obvious setbacks in life.
Bottom line on Seven Pounds is that’s it’s a solid drama that’s both touching and hopeful and perhaps may be even helpful to some. It gets you thinking about your own station in life which is perhaps a good thing.
Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com
