Movie Review: Seven Pounds (2008)
This film keeps its cards too close to the chest since we already know what it's holding
Photo: Columbia Pictures
It's certainly melodramatic and it tugs on the heart strings like you wouldn't believe, but the largest problem with Seven Pounds is not its cheap attempts at making you cry as much as it's the fact it holds its revelation so close to the chest despite the fact midway through you already know the ending. Had it not been for the fantastic chemistry between Will Smith and Rosario Dawson this film would have been impossible to endure. However, despite all its flaws I found myself enjoying the humanity in it all if not entirely accepting the premise at hand.
Smith stars as Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with little interest in taxes and a greater interest in those he chooses to investigate. Working from a list of seven hand-picked names, Ben is on a search to ensure each one is a "good person" for reasons that reveal themselves soon enough and if you are paying any kind of attention you should have it all figured out about midway through, which is where the film will either lose its audience as it meanders toward its finale or keep their attention if it has successfully convinced them to stick with the story for its duration.
In the lead role, Smith is once again quite impressive as his performance never feels forced despite the film's consistent attempts at sticking the knife deeper into the emotional core of the viewer. I expect it to work on half the viewers who will end up wrecked in the film's final moments while those that gave up on the film a long time ago will look at them wondering just what is so sad.
The highlight of the film is the performance given by Rosario Dawson who plays Emily Posa, a woman dealing with an enlarged heart and standing on death's doorstep. Dawson makes a plea for Oscar consideration with her performance and while she won't be getting any nods this year I really think her time is coming if she continues to make wise decisions in selecting her roles. Her character in Seven Pounds demands a quality performance and it is her ability to add light to a character that should be drowning in depression that keeps the film from falling apart at the seams. Seven Pounds is a film that is already melodramatic enough, had Dawson's performance added to the misery any more than it needed to this film would have been a disaster. As it turns out her chemistry with Will Smith is a highlight and has me looking forward to more serious roles from Dawson who is known for her wide range of characters.
Reteaming with his Pursuit of Happyness helmer, Gabriele Muccino and Will Smith have put together a film that will be a hard sell to audiences even with Smith's name attached. While Happyness was nothing more than a typical run-of-the-mill emotional drama it didn't pander to the audience as much as Seven Pounds does, which will serve as its box-office dividing line. This isn't a bad film per se it is just one that will play to the more emotional moviegoer that tends to view a film as it progresses rather than trying to figure out the mystery at its core. Because once you figure it all out (if you haven't already) you better be fully invested or you are in for a long ride.
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