Click to play videoCast: Will Smith
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Seven Pounds starring Will Smith is one of those smug little films that is overwhelmed by its own sense of self-importance.
Smith stars as a tax agent with a secret, who's determined to help seven strangers. For that he must first be convinced that each of them are really good people. So he lets off a volley of insults and abuses to a blind call-center employee, he spends way too much time charming a pretty girl with a heart condition, and he barges into the home of an Asian woman.
The film opens with a scene in which Smith's character calls 911 to report his own suicide. From there we go into flashbacks to reveal what led to this tragedy.
If you find yourself confused, then let it be known, that's exactly what the makers of this profoundly irritating film were going for. When it's all explained at the end, you can't help feeling angry by the manner in which you've been manipulated shamelessly.
If the film isn't entirely unwatchable, it's because Will Smith is an immensely engaging actor, and because you keep expecting that his big secret will indeed be a big one. Sadly, it's not.
I'm going with two out of five for Seven Pounds, it's meant to be a sentimental tale of redemption, forgiveness and salvation. If you like to be emotionally manipulated, this is just the film for you.
Rating: 2 / 5 (Average)
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