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Seven Pounds
- Review Date: December 18, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2008
Common Sense Media says
Melancholy Will Smith film is too intense for younger kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Will Smith + holidays usually equals blockbuster. But this drama's mysterious title and trailer may turn off younger fans who'd rather see a comedy or fantasy. And viewers in the mood for a feel-good story should look elsewhere: The movie tackles heavy themes like what it means to live a meaningful life, embracing death in the face of a terminal illness, and using grief as a motivation to act selflessly. The language and consumerism are mild, the violence is limited to (admittedly disturbing) scenes of two fatal incidents, and the sexuality is one love scene featuring a bare shoulders and backs. All of that said, the central message -- giving of yourself no matter what the cost -- may be too mature for young viewers to handle.
What's the story?
The sole survivor of a fatal car crash that killed his fiancee and six others, moody IRS auditor Ben Thomas (Will Smith) is wholly focused on finding "good people" to help in extremely personal, unbelievably generous ways -- like forgiving a beautiful-but-sick woman's (Rosario Dawson) back-taxes or giving an abused single mother his luxury beach house. He's also donating an organ to a beloved local basketball coach he barely knows. As Ben says about another possible recipient of his selflessness: "It is within my power to drastically change his circumstances." But as this mysterious drama unfolds, it becomes clear that Ben isn't exactly as he seems -- and that his purpose, while noble, is also morbid and heartbreaking.
Is it any good?
Smith usually comes through, but watching him mope around for two hours is neither believable nor inspiring. What begins as a suspense-filled drama devolves into a "very special episode" of Grey's Anatomy or ER (let's leave the spoilers at that). It's not that the cast doesn't act well, because Smith, Dawson, Woody Harrelson (a blind man Ben takes an interest in), Michael Ealy (Ben's brother), and Barry Pepper (Ben's best friend) are all talented performers. The story is the main problem -- instead of being powerful and thought-provoking, as director Gabriele Muccino aims, it's saccharine and phony.
Although Smith, a two-time Academy-Award nominee, is up to dramatic roles -- and it's understandable why he'd re-team with Muccino, his Pursuit of Happyness director -- he's built his superstardom on playing the hopeful hero. Ben is a hero, but he's so depressed (and depressing); fatalistic audiences may consider Smith miscast. Tortured and bereaved looks good on Sean Penn, Benico Del Toro, and Don Cheadle. But Smith? Not so much.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the film's emphasis on altruism. What messages does it send about generosity? Is it a positive message?
Was Ben saintly or insane -- or is it a little of both?
Families can
also discuss how the movie develops as a suspenseful drama. How
specifically was it suspenseful? Was the end predictable, or did it
succeed in being a "big reveal"?How does Smith's character here
compare with others he's played? Do you prefer him in dramas or
comedies/action-adventures? Why?
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AGE
miguel's review:)
I Loved this movie and think Will is a gifted actor. This was a different role for him, and i believe he was overlooked in the oscar race. It is a little depressing, but you have to understand it is just a movie, and its a really touching drama. I highly recommend it, if you love Will Smith's movies.
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AGE
lots of good points 12 and over
its one of those movies thats trying to show a good point and it did good movie truth is its kind if sad it might break your heart it all depense on you 12 and over
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AGE
Moral Misdirection
Seven Pounds has competent-to-good acting, good production values, and an intense, sentimental, surface message. The protagonist, suicidally depressed, seeks to expiate his guilt over causing the deaths of his fiance and six others in a motor vehicle accident. He finds seven unfortunates in various fiancial, emotional, or health problems. It ends with his suicide set up so that multiple organ transplants can be done. The moral flaw is that he lies, breaks laws, and kills himself in a mistaken effort to seek self-forgiveness. He plays God, lets a woman fall in love with him, and ultimately betrays his adult responsibility to deal with life. A sometimes slow paced movie, it will give a false impression of true altruism and love.
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AGE
Good movie, but the role model does bad to do good.
This movie is hard to review without giving something away but there are some "kissing" scenes (more then kissing). The movie is about a man who is going to commit scuicie. THAT IS ALL I CAN SAY!!!! The movie can be confusing but it all wraps up together in a great ending showing you everthing that happened. A must see moive for anybody who won't mind crying (dont watch this with your friends) WATCH IT!!!!!!!
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AGE
sad but i liked it
This movie was VERY good and Will Smith does a great job portraying a very depressed character. It is very sad but still very good.
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AGE
Depressing!
I did not see it, but my daughters, ages 13 and 14 did. They are sorry they saw it because of how depressing it was. I am sorry that I did not research the movie first.
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AGE
Great movie for older kids...
This movie is great for older kids 13+. They would need to understand that this man cannot take back what he has done but gives totally of himself to help others feeling this is the only way to make some sort of amends for what he has done. Will is one of my favorite actors and what a message he brings to the screen.
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AGE
I actually liked it
It raises interesting questions about the nature of those who try to help. Are they helping because they want to be good citizens, or because they are doing it for their own satisfaction? Mabye the want to play God, too?
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AGE
I always like watching Will Smith and thought he did an excellent job portraying someone so sad... It was hard to comprehend the point of the story until near the end and then the realization of what he is doing is so gripping & compelling, I too, like another reviewer, almost could have sat through it again to see how the story was told when you really "knew" what it was about. I don't think it's a teenager movie, their thought processes are too black & white & they are too impressionable to comprehend such sadness & such "gifts". But I wouldn't demean the movie as morally flawed. People ARE morally flawed. It's not an educational movie designed to encourage breaking the law & commiting suicide. Nor is it a betrayal or phony to fall in love with the right person at the wrong time or to not be able to forgive yourself or a terrible mistake. Ultimatley, it was an entertaining, intriguing movie on a complex emotional adult level. Definitely not the Will Smith of Hancock or the Man in Black nor the Fresh Prince.
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| Studio: | Sony Pictures |
| Director: | Gabriele Muccino |
| Cast: | Barry Pepper, Rosario Dawson, Will Smith |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 123 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 19, 2008 |
| DVD release date: | March 31, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality |
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