Synopsis
Seven names. Seven strangers. One secret.
An IRS agent with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.
2008 Directed by Gabriele Muccino
An IRS agent with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.
Steve Tisch Will Smith James Lassiter Todd Black Jason Blumenthal Molly Allen Tracey Nyberg Chrissy Blumenthal
Dan Yale Gary A. Hecker Rick Kline D. Chris Smith Greg Orloff Pamela Kahn Kyle Rochlin Tateum Kohut Jim Stuebe Dennis Drummond Kim Drummond Mike Marino Brian Armstrong
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There's a specific type of filmmaking that I absolutely loathe with all my heart and Seven Pounds is one of the best examples about why I despise these kinds of films so much. These are the kinds of films that pretend to be emotionally draining experiences but they also come off as so preachy and condescending in the worst ways imaginable. I've already loathed films like Crash for this reason, yet here we have a case that also manages to bring faith and spirituality into this. Oh, this should be such a joy alright.
It should already be clear within the first ten minutes we're already getting the idea of what kind of a character Will Smith is to play,…
An emotionally heavy drama of guilt and redemption that has its set of shortfalls, but the soulful storyline and the strong impactful performance of Will Smith makes it a heartfelt watch.
A bland would-be tearjerker that attempts to challenge utilitarianism and Kantian ethics. There's no doubt that Seven Pounds is well-acted by its two leads, but the film is contrived and way too over-manipulative.
Overly depressing, ungodly boring, and so irritatingly relentless in its misery, Seven Pounds is a poorly scripted, pretentious, and emotionally manipulative tear-jerker that is nothing more than Will Smith's desperate attempt to earn the Oscar after not winning for The Pursuit of Happyness. Let's all be thankful he didn't get nominated for this.
Seven Pounds is supposed to be a movie about redemption, but it ends up being a 2 hour ego stroke for the main character. If Tim were to donate his organs, without the rest of the movie, he would do all the positives that he ended up doing, the only difference being the awareness of the recipients to who did it. And in that situation he wouldn't be forming bonds just to break them, and manipulating person after person in the process.
Effectively, he trades a more philanthropic option for recognition of him being a "good" person; even if that means that the people he helped will have that stuck in their head for the rest of their lives. It's truly a dick move to be like "hey I saved your life by killing myself and you should never forget that", when doing it without forming those emotional bonds is possible.
This is genuinely one of the most powerful films that I have ever seen, and it breaks my heart with every viewing.
Seven Pounds tells an emotionally complex story about one man's journey of redemption, concluding with a dramatic impact that, whilst you are in some ways prepared for it, will tear you apart. However, I haven't read many good reviews for this film on Letterboxd so far, which is shocking as I saw the film in the cinema with a group of boys and we all cried. I guess it isn't for everybody, but I find it incredibly underrated and is it one of my favourite films, and one of few that I can watch over and over again…
A common criticism levelled against films is that of being "emotionally manipulative". I get the intention, but I find it also rather puzzling because it is true for every single movie ever made. Everything we see on screen is constructed to elicit a response from us, the viewers. It's not real, it's all make-believe. Better films just do it subtle enough to not let us notice.
With that being said, fuck me, if Seven Pounds isn't the most emotionally manipulative film I have ever seen. Jesus fucking Christ …
mr will smith.. please.. I have seven pound butt disease.. donate your butt to me