Seven Pounds
Cast: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper
Dir: Gabriele Muccino
Rating: 4/5
Known as the big screen's funnyman and action hero over the last couple of years Will Smith has tried to change our perception of him, he is a serious actor.
And with The Pursuit of Happiness he delivered a performance that made us see just, and the Oscar nomination didn't hurt either.
He teams up again with filmmaker Gabriele Muccino to produce a similar emotionally charged and powerful movie in the form of Seven Pounds.
Ben Thomas (Smith) is an IRS agent with a fateful secret who embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.
Along the way he meets and sets out to help Emily Posa (Dawson) and Ezra Turner (Harrelson). When one of the seven captures his heart he must decide if he should reveal his secret, even if it means giving up on his plan.
And lightening really does strike twice Seven Pounds is a beautiful movie about coping with guilt and Smith's performance really does move him away from the comedy actor that we all know him for.
He is supported by an outstanding cast, his chemistry with Rosario Dawson is so genuine that their growing friendship, and turmoil Ben finds himself in because of it, really does drive the movie forward.
There are also some good turns from both Woody Harrelson and Barry Pepper but it would have been nice to see more of both of them, in particular Pepper who is a drastically underrated actor.
Alright it is rather a morbid and ultimately depressing, it's not the sort of film that's going to put you in a good mood, but it's Smith's central performance that is simply electric he really has turned into a classy actor.
Muccino has produced a very absorbing movie about love, loss and the path of redemption that packs an emotional punch.
But the director doesn't just tell a straight story he delves into Ben's story through a series of flashbacks, which may annoy some but I found to be a perfect way to build up the tension as you slowly find out what he feels so guilty for.
There are some issues with the length and pace of the movie but that would be the only criticism of this beautiful movie. And while is does serve up misery by the bucket load, in the same vein and 21 grams, the message of Seven Pounds really is that of hope.
A little tip... have a tissue at the ready.
Seven Pounds is out on DVD now.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Will Smith