2008 is coming to an end. You should know how I felt about 2007 by now and I’m happy to say that this year definitely delivered better than the last. I’ve seen some really great movies this year and I’m planning on creating a list of my top 5 of 2008. One movie that will definitely be on that list will be Will Smith’s new drama, Seven Pounds.
Ben Thomas (Will Smith) is an IRS agent who is trying desperately to undo a horrible mistake he made in his past. To correct his wrong doing, he sets out to help seven strangers by drastically bettering their lives. After his “job” is done, Ben is going to kill himself. (Not a spoiler!) However, the introduction of Emily Pose (Rosario Dawson), causes him to question his original plan.
Seven Pounds is beautiful. I’ll generally say a movie is “really good” or “hell yeah, it was great”. Rarely will I say a movie is beautiful. However, I don’t know a better way to describe Seven Pounds. I was lucky enough to be able to watch Seven Pounds in the comfort of my own bed at my apartment, so I didn’t have to worry about punkass kids talking or, ya know, paying. Another reason being able to watch it at my home was great, was that it allowed me to watch the movie again immediately after watching it for the first time. Which I did; twice.
Nearly a year ago I posted my review of I Am Legend and talked about how Will Smith’s talent has come miles from his Fresh Prince days. That still holds true. He carries this movie, just like his sins he must atone for, from the beginning to the end. Though the only other movie Smith was in this year was Hancock, which I hated, his performance here definitely makes up for it and then some. Smith plays Ben in such a way that he creates a character that is likable, personable, broken, desperate, hurt, lost; human.
I haven’t yet reviewed a movie that had Rosario Dawson in it as a major character. She was in Eagle Eye, but whatevs. Anyway, I’ve always liked her. Not only because she’s hot, but because she seems like a cool ass girl who is very genuine. However, some of her other roles in past films haven’t allowed her to show that. (The Rundown, Sin City, Men In Black II, Josie and the Pussycats) With that being said, her portrayal of Emily Pose here allowed her to show off what amazing talent she has. To be honest, I had my doubts of seeing her carry scenes with Smith, but she was sublime.
Smith and Dawson’s on screen chemistry was amazing to watch. During the 118 minute runtime, you get the pleasure of watching two people meet and fall in love. The tenderness and affections they share is impossible to watch and not want for yourself. The love they have by the end of the movie is the kind that hurts because it’s so good. The kind where each smile, kiss, touch is almost too much to bare because it’s perfect.
Please don’t get sucked into the hype that this movie has caused regarding what it was that Will Smith did in his past to cause him to help these seven people. While it is important, if you focus on just realizing that, you’re going to miss what makes this movie great. It’s very rare to see a movie that sparks something in you that makes you want to change and be better or do more, but Seven Pounds will do just that.
9 out of 10.
Tags: Atone, Barry Pepper, Death, Drama, Eagle Eye, Gabriele Muccino, Hancock, Heart, I Am Legend, Love, Michael Ealy, Movie, Movie Review, Regret, Review, Romance, Rosario Dawson, Seven Pounds, Sin City, Suicide, Will Smith, Woody Harrelson
