Customer Reviews

Seven Pounds [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(94)
4 star:		(39)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(19)
1 star:		(26)

 

 

I grew up watching Will Smith on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, so he's a familiar face that I enjoy seeing. I truly think he's at his best in the drama category. His has such a soothing quality to him that can speak volumes in a couple words or a look. No one else could have played an IRS agent that doesn't immediately get a door slammed in their face.

For once, the plot was not spoiled before I could watch this movie on DVD. Usually you can't help but hear all about it before you see it. So I went into this knowing nothing, and while it's not completely surprising how it unfolds, it works in an amazing way.

For some, they will have a very large, elephant in the room problem with a film that concerns suicide(don't worry, not spoiling for you...this is the opening scene). This is a movie that develops like a symphony, slowly building before you. It will break your heart, but let you see that some people do have the best of intentions. They're willing to sacrifice more then you'd think.

Others have complained its "slow" or "boring". I believe 'seven pounds' is for those who like subtlety and things to think about. They don't give you all the information to figure out the story immediately.

I watched slumdog millionaire right before this, and honestly, thought this was stunningly better and I'm really shocked it wasn't nominated for an oscar. This would have been my personal choice for best film of the year.

Also, as I will always mention - finally, some good special features!! I love behind the scenes stuff, or the writers talking about how the story came to them. There is all that and more.

"Seven Pounds" is a depressing movie, but it also reaffirms life, ironically. Will Smith plays Ben Thomas, who in the beginning of the movie utters these heartbreaking lines:"There's been a suicide," he tells a 911 operator. "Who's the victim?" the operator asks. Ben [Will Smith] replies, "Me."

So, the viewer sort of knows what Ben's ultimate fate is. As the plot unfolds, the viewer learns that Ben is a rich entrepreneur who causes a deadly traffic accident that claims the lives of his beloved wife, and six other people. The grief-stricken and remorseful Ben then decides to atone for his sins by making a difference in the lives of a chosen few. How Ben goes about this makes for compelling viewing, though at times, it does seem contrived.

What made this movie worth watching in my opinion was the wonderful, credible performances by Will Smith as the tormented Ben Thomas, and Rosario Dawson as Emily Posa, a sad, lonely young woman with a terminal heart condition. Their chemistry carries this movie through - Ben is at first hesitant in forming any sort of emotional attachment to Emily, but he soon recognizes in Emily the same desire to connect on an emotional level with another empathetic soul. It is interesting to watch Ben's conundrum as he struggles between his desire and need for Emily and the intolerable situation that necessitates his intervention in the manner he first decided upon.

Final verdict - a depressing and disturbing movie that forces us to face some unpalatable life decisions, yet despite the flawed premise, the compelling performances by the leads makes this a stirring emotional drama.

Seven Pounds is an outstanding and very UNDER RATED movie. Those who didn't like this movie probably have a limited understanding of what it means to show compassion towards other people. From the special features commentary, that came with the DVD, the movie's concept was mildly based on an actual event. Seven Pounds has to be watched, not from a critical eye as to whether this movie achieved this or that, but, from the point of view of someone who is telling their story and you are the viewer. If you ignore the few negative reviews, and enjoy the movie for the compassionate theme it's portraying, you will have a better appreciation for life that transcends the daily problems we sometimes face. The chemistry between Will Smith and Rosario Dawson was great. The movie flowed well; and, the accompanying music enhanced the essence of the feelings being conveyed. If you haven't seen this movie yet, don't let the trailer (for this movie) mislead you; the movie is not as suspenseful as it is made out to be; Seven Pounds is more about Love and Compassion. I hope you enjoy the movie!!!

You spend most of this two-hour film wondering "what's the story
regarding the lead character?"

Will Smith, as a low-key "Ben Thomas" will keep you guessing. The last
20-25 minutes is when you find out, and it's a shocker....but you knew
something dramatic was going to be revealed. Until then, Smith, plays
it mysterious, almost stalking people. You know he has a good reason
for doing it, but it's never really explained, once again, to keep us
guessing until the end.

All of it, including a on again/off again but touching romance with
Rosario Dawkins ("Emily Posa") might make some viewers frustrated or
wanting to quit this film.....but don't because the final long segment
puts all the pieces of this puzzle together.

This is a two-hour film and not the typical action-packed macho Will
Smith film. In fact, the most shocking aspect might be seeing the
drawn, sad face of Smith throughout this story. It almost doesn't even
look like him in a number of shots. He looks like he's lost weight and
is sick. Smith does a great job portraying a man carrying around a lot
of sadness.

Like a good movie will often do, this film will leave you thinking long
after the ending credits.

This movie holds your attention from the opening to the very end. Will Smith is not only a very talented singer-rapper, but he is a top-notch actor. He is able to become each character that he plays, and plays them with a vengence. An unusual movie, with an ending you won't forget.

A true gem. Touching but not sappy. Intriguing but not complicated. An original story that's fresh and unpredictable, something rare to come out of Hollywood lately. Brilliant!

If you live in the safety of a 6 sided box, preferring to view the world only as you want it be, leave this one on the shelf. Many of the poor reviews are by morally constrained people who refuse to accept that humanity exists beyond their own perceptions. 7 pounds pokes into dark corners that people normally would not willingly consider looking at. Will Smith displayed diversity in a mature roll delivering a strong performance. There are a few typical Hollywood inaccuracies but what story doesn't have them; 90% of viewers wouldn't recognize them anyway.

I gave this movie 5 stars because it was delivered well and challenged me mentally and emotionally.

The critics trashed it - they didn't appreciate its length or its slow development reminiscent of European movies (it's apparent that the average American critic's attention spans isn't worthy of a gnat). The movie doesn't have any of the seemingly obligatory chase scenes or special effect fluff most Americans expect in movies. It is a deeper movie than that, full of the afterglow of life and what it has meant at its core. It's also graced with a sensuous intimation of lovemaking accompanied by a simple heart-wrenching piano sound track I could listen to forever. The movie is beautiful, and anyone who has ever been in love, known great loss, or been forced to reconcile their self with death will be deeply moved by this movie. We saw it last weekend, and it was a wonderfully emotional experience for us. As someone said, while watching this movie, it would be impossible for even Attila the Hun not to cry. The final scenes are sure to wrench your emotions and cause you to think about what life is really all about.

Anyone who calls this movie simple or boring or not about love, has no heart or soul, and has no clue about love. Unless you anesthetized with only the capability of enjoying mindless violence on screen, you will be moved to tears. This movie contains just about everything that a human can experience and it is beautifully and sensitively acted and directed. I suppose that it takes a European director to be able to portray the depth, complexity and simplicity of the range of human emotions. I admire Will Smith for his bravery and honesty in his choices of projects. I was actually an extra in one of his films, and grateful to have been this close to someone so talented and generous. I love this film and will watch it over and over (even if it still makes me cry). I don't want to mention any detail of the movie because I loved being captivated and surprised the first time I watched it. The extras on the DVD are great and I recommend watching all of them.

If you've read some of the negative reviews, you might think this is an awful movie. It's not. It's fiction, first of all. I'm willing to suspend reality for a couple of hours - that's why I'm watching a movie in the first place - and let the story unfold. This movie is worth seeing, in my opinion. An unusual, compelling story, out of the ordinary. Wow.

It's not a fairy tale, they don't all live happily ever after. If you can't deal with that, watch The Princess Bride.