Movie : Seven Pounds

Movie Info :

Title : Seven Pounds
Genres: Drama and Romance
Running Time: 2 hr. 3 min.
Release Date: December 19th, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality.
Distributors: Sony Pictures Releasing
Production Co.: Escape Artists, Overbrook Entertainment, Relativity Media
Studios: Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
Filming Locations: Los Angeles, California USA
Produced in: United States
Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Michael Ealy, Robinne Lee
Directed by: Gabriele Muccino
Produced by: David Crockett, Ken Stovitz, Domenico Procacci
Official Website: Click Here


Synopsis :

Academy Award nominee Will Smith reunites with the director and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for this emotional drama concerning an IRS agent whose quest for redemption is unexpectedly complicated after he inadvertently falls in love. Ben Thomas is an IRS agent with a fateful secret. Assuming the identity of his younger brother, Ben sets out in search of redemption. Instead, Ben discovers true love while forever changing the lives of seven complete strangers. Woody Harrelson, Rosario Dawson, Michael Ealy, and Barry Pepper co-star. Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide



Movie Review :

The great Renaissance man Gilbert Keith Chesterton once wrote, "No good deed goes unpunished."

Simply put, if you do something nice, something awful will happen to you. We’ve seen examples of this in cinema, the most memorable of which is "Pay it Forward," an Oscar-bait picture about a boy (then "it" star Haley Joel Osment) who attempts to do good deeds to help make the world a better place. Ultimately in the finale (spoiler ahead), the young boy is stabbed to death by an angry schoolmate.

So that brings us to the latest example of "no good deed goes unpunished," Will Smith’s "Hancock" follow-up, "Seven Pounds." The film follows an emotionally distraught IRS agent, Ben Thomas, as he mysteriously attempts to help several people with their life-long problems, with seemingly no real reason behind why he’s doing such things.

The film moves at a mystifying pace, slowly unraveling the tightly wound knots of Grant Nieporte’s complicated, twist-driven script. While the technique of slowly unveiling the narrative can often prove tedious, the film is wonderfully anchored by Gabriele Muccino’s taut and exciting direction, often infusing intensity where none would normally be present.

Adding even more weight are the near-perfect performances from Will Smith and Rosario Dawson. Smith plays Ben Thomas as an emotionally complex, angst-filled man whose mysterious past outweighs any of his good deeds. Smith does a fine job with the role, but his angst-addled characters are starting to feel a bit cliché. This is the fourth film in a row where Smith exploits this character trait. He’s a wonderful actor, destined for Oscar greatness, but I’d love to see a broader range from him.

Dawson plays Emily Posa, a dying heart patient that Smith’s Thomas chooses to help. The script plays to Dawson’s strengths, once again allowing us to see that glowing free spirit we fell in love with in Kevin Smith’s "Clerks II." The chemistry between her and Ben Thomas is quite tangible, giving gravity to their unusual romance.

The film really only faults as it approaches the final act and plot threads begin to show serious signs of wear and tear. In one such subplot, Smith’s Thomas gives a Latino lady his luxurious ocean-front beach house, but never does the script mention how this obviously poor woman will be able to afford the astronomical property taxes of such an estate.

When we finally reach the last act, the film takes a dark turn as the plot twist secretly controlling the film is revealed. I won’t spill the beans here, but this element proves to be the film’s most detrimental flaw, relating directly to the quote used above.

Why must the film punish it’s viewers for falling in love with Emily Posa and Ben Thomas? The film wants us to leave the theater inspired, but its ending is counterproductive of such a fate. In the end, the film proves immensely moving, and remarkably entertaining, but hardly inspirational at all.

"Seven Pounds" isn’t as drastically manipulative as "Pay it Forward" mostly because the performances and script feel far more genuine. But this manipulation gimmick ultimately bread a bad taste in my mouth for the film, long after my tears for the characters had been wiped away. For many, this film will probably work. Smith gives yet another rock-solid performance and he’s paired with several equally solid costars. It tugs at your heartstrings and will easily drive most audiences to tears while providing a decent night’s entertainment. But the film tries too hard to inspire us and ultimately fails to do so. If "no good deed goes unpunished," then what is the point of it all?

Taken From : http://www.dvdfuture.com



Seven Pounds Official Movie Trailer HD