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Parents' Guide to

Seven Pounds

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Melancholy Will Smith film is too intense for younger kids.

Movie PG-13 2008 123 minutes
Seven Pounds Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 17 parent reviews

Cloflo
Cloflo Adult
January 9, 2021
age 16+

Amazing, Inspirational Drama

This movie is so intense, powerful, and well worth how emotional it will most likely make you feel. Seven Pounds is arguably Will Smith's best performance, he fully became this character and portrayed him so well. It's a great depiction of a well-rounded character done right. This movie has a lot of dramatic and intense scenes that may upset a child but not be too much for a teenager. The movie starts off with a mam announcing to 911 that he is committing suicide so some may not want to watch this movie if that is a painful subject for them. But the reason for his suicide is not self-centered or overly terrible. It is, in fact, self-less. There is some making out but no vivid depiction of sex. You do see a couple taking off their clothes but no real nudity is show by clever camera work. Seven Pounds is a movie I think everyone should see at least once. It is full of good people and reasons to live and be happy with your life. But be warned, you're gonna cry A LOT so maybe watch it by yourself so you can sob with no judgment!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Rich K
Rich K Adult
March 17, 2020
age 15+

Reviewer Missed Something

I found this movie an emotional roller coaster. Well acted by a fine cast (Will Smith, Rosario Dawson & Woody Harrelson). It grabs the viewer from the start as you wonder why Will Smith's character is visiting these people. Why? What happened to him? What is he hoping to accomplish. If you're an older person (like me lol) you've probably encounter some of these experiences yourself or know of someone who has. That will make the movie an even more positive experience. I came away from the movie, moved by the emotions it touched. Not one to give away anything, I can just say the 90+ minutes of this fine film is a journey worth taking. I take issue with one critic here who said that they had an issue with Will Smith's character "moping" through the entire film. Given the circumstances/actions of his character, what did you expect from him? Cartwheels down Main Street ?

This title has:

Great messages
See all 17 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (17 ):
Kids say (20 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Movie Details

  • In theaters: December 19, 2008
  • On DVD or streaming: March 31, 2009
  • Cast: Barry Pepper , Rosario Dawson , Will Smith
  • Director: Gabriele Muccino
  • Inclusion Information: Female actors, Black actors, Indigenous actors, Latino actors
  • Studio: Sony Pictures
  • Genre: Drama
  • Run time: 123 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG-13
  • MPAA explanation: thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality
  • Last updated: April 7, 2023

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