Seven Pounds poster & wallpaper

Barry Pepper, Rosario Dawson, Will Smith

Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with a fateful secret, embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers.

Flixster Users

77% liked it

127,520 ratings

Critics

27% liked it

171 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Gabriele Muccino

Release Date: December 19, 2008

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: March 31, 2009

Get It:

Stats: 34,080 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites
report incorrect info

Photos

Forgien Poster
Upload a Photo |

View All Seven Pounds Photos (1)

Your Rating


clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (34,080)

  • JDFortuneFan
    September 27, 2009
    JDFortuneFan
    Seven Pounds has the WOW factor. Great script, spectacular acting, beautifully filmed and all with an excellent score. Director Gabriele Muccino allowed this haunting tale to unfold perfectly. An intriguing film which makes you think.
  • purplemegan
    July 6, 2009
    purplemegan
    The more I think about this movie the more this character reminds me of the guy from Pursuit of Happyness. I'm not really sure what else to say about it. It was definitely a tearjerker.
  • garystev
    June 27, 2009
    garystev
    Will Smith proves once again that he really can do anything in this obscurely titled melodrama. This astounding piece of work has no shame about pulling at your heart strings and it does so in a surprisingly witty way that will leave you devestated. More than just a story of rede...( read more)mption, it's depth is almost biblical in nature and provokes the audience to ask some shocking questions about ourselves and the world we live in. Wonderfully deep, with some truly original twists and a very touching finale. Just see it!
  • PvtCaboose91
    June 23, 2009
    PvtCaboose91
    "In seven days, God created the world. And in seven seconds, I shattered mine."


    Every frame of director Gabriele Muccino's Seven Pounds feels manipulatively engineered for one purpose: tear-jerking. On an emotional level, one could decree that this motion pict

    ...( read more)ure is satisfying as it indeed contains powerful moments. Yet on an intellectual level, the film is disappointingly shallow as it shamelessly defies logic with ridiculous plot contrivances and unconvincing character behaviour. Seven Pounds is a strange little movie - it's part romance fable, part maudlin study in grief and part puzzle, and it visibly hopes to grab the attention of the Oscar committee. The film is intended to be somewhat depressing in order to move on an emotional level, but as a result of the deliberate pacing and the hollow core (seriously, what was the point of the movie?) it's ultimately a depressing, notoriously unenjoyable cinematic snooze-fest. Seven Pounds suffers from being too earnest and sentimental as well as overdone and grim...even when it's supposed to lift our spirits. As a love story it's substandard and as a redemption story it's pretty ridiculous.


    The basic story of Seven Pounds, beyond the narrative shuffle and existential pondering, is fairly interesting. But not much of this plotline can be revealed because the movie has been foolishly designed to make the most fundamental plot point a spoiler!
    At its most rudimentary level, the story concerns IRS agent Ben Thomas (Smith) who sets out to help the lives of seven strangers in a journey of personal redemption. Flashbacks gradually reveal why Ben has become so bizarre and solitary, and divulge the true nature of Ben's mission. But all the narrative trickery and emotional manipulation only place Ben further out of the audience's reach as he moves through the plot like an indomitable Terminator devoid of palpable motivations. Seven Pounds is not easy to predict, but the ambiguity of Ben's quest erodes the effectiveness of the overall experience as Ben's enigmatic misery and unclear motivations trigger head-slapping frustration. Eventually the story grows stale and is unable to generate sufficient intrigue as the film progresses. With Ben's motives left in the dark until the end, not everyone will have the patience to stick with the film to learn the answer to its riddle.


    Seven Pounds conveys its story in a non-linear and seemingly haphazard manner, confounding and confusing as a means to conceal the "twist" until the final act. Unfortunately, the filmmakers miss their mark - anyone with a brain will be able to decipher the film's final trajectory within the first thirty minutes (particularly because the movie commences with one of the last scenes). Probably the biggest problem is that it's impossible to easily accept Ben's behaviour. Guilt may be a powerful motivator and the quest for redemption can be obsessive, but Ben should pursue his objectives with more believable human behaviour patterns. As it is, his behaviour is downright silly (similar to a lot of the film's contrived proceedings).


    By any standard, Ben Thomas is not a nice person. He invades the private lives of critically ill people and collects their personal information under false pretences. Ben runs little con games on these people before judging them, and this is both intrusive and morally dubious. On top of this, his unexpected relationship with Emily is dishonest - he refuses to divulge any information about himself. Seven Pounds also ignores the fact that meddling with the lives of strangers incurs responsibilities. At one point Ben gives his expensive beach house to an abused woman (Carillo) and her young children as a gesture of charity. Ben chooses this beneficiary on the basis of a few endorsements and a brief, unproductive meeting. It may seem like a nice gesture, but this would be doing more harm than good - the woman has no way of paying the taxes on the house, nor will she have money for the house's upkeep. She'll likely run into hassles with suspicious neighbours, lawyers, and perhaps even Ben's family. Chances are the house will be taken away from her, and Ben's gesture will be in vain. On top of this, in a symbolic, stupid subplot, Ben somehow acquires a box jellyfish (!) that lives in a tank filled with tap water (!!) until it's required for its intended purpose.


    Here's the unforgivable problem: Ben forces his help on people without their consent or even their knowledge. He gives some of these people gifts that would be morally unacceptable under normal circumstances. Ben's selfless altruism is conceived on the basis of simple math: if you break seven bottles, you must replace the seven bottles. This is, of course, utter simplistic nonsense. One should act out of moral commitment as opposed to some crazy notion of guilt. But more importantly, the "terrible event" that haunts Ben's past was an accident. He was careless, yes, but no more culpable than any other person who does something foolish. Seven Pounds wraps up with a heart-wrenching (or at least they're supposed to be) series of overly mawkish soap-opera epiphanies. The last moment of the film, during which two people are seemingly drawn together by Ben's acts, is extremely tacky - sentimentally flawed and ethically questionable. Unfortunately, the first half of the movie hasn't earned the investment required for a big emotional finish as it's far too boring, and the ending falls flat.


    This is Will Smith's second collaboration with director Gabriele Muccino (the brilliant Pursuit of Happyness being their first) who continually plies heavily dramatic performances from the actor who's famous for featuring in comedic roles. Smith is an accessible and likeable performer, but his charisma seems somewhat forced here...and he looks more constipated than tortured from time to time. Rosario Dawson, playing alongside Will Smith, is fairly credible and natural. But Dawson's character, a terminally ill yet full-of-life patient, is familiar in the cinematic realm of tear-jerkers, and it's hard to find something new to engage with. Woody Harrelson is given a small but crucial role here, and he's fairly memorable. Also look out for Barry Pepper who makes the most of his restricted screen-time.


    Muccino and screenwriter Grant Nieporte clearly strived to create an uplifting motion picture, but in the long run Seven Pounds is uncomfortable and depressing. Although initially involving, the story's big reveal occurs too late, and even the most determined viewer will have trouble maintaining interest. Seven Pounds is more exasperating than riveting. While it's refreshing to behold a star vehicle that demands patience and attention, even an extremely enjoyable film needs to be succinct. Seven Pounds is an exercise in self-indulgence - it's a collage of melodramatic scenes (emotion is amplified by intrusive music during these scenes as well) followed by an ending that fails to deliver a big emotional payoff.
  • clooneyfan
    June 17, 2009
    clooneyfan
    The beginning of this movie was kind of confusing but it started making more sense towards the end. It made me think for hours after it was over.
  • holyauguste
    November 7, 2009
    holyauguste
    intriguant jusqu'à la fin
  • majikhandzz
    November 5, 2009
    majikhandzz
    very good story, Will Smith is convincing
  • Ghanjaspawn
    November 5, 2009
    Ghanjaspawn
    A powerfull and touching film will keep you guessing up to the very end.
  • yolticgzlc58
    November 3, 2009
    yolticgzlc58
    it realy makes me cry
  • lilifarkas
    October 31, 2009
    lilifarkas
    People said I should see it but I already know the ending and I don`t feel like watching it. But of course, I have to watch it sometime.

View All Seven Pounds Reviews

Critic Reviews

January 16, 2009
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

Seven Pounds compounds the schmaltz in a tale of goody-goody benefaction and glutinous redemption, whose plot the distributors mercifully injunct us from revealing. full review

December 19, 2008
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

As high concepts go, Seven Pounds is distasteful in the extreme. full review

December 19, 2008
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

It takes the soggy cake for multiple layers of sentimentality topped by indigestible grandiosity. full review

December 19, 2008
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

It affirms life as something enormous and important, not small, not meaningless, but monumental and worthy of big statements. full review

December 19, 2008
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Seven Pounds is a difficult story, multilayered, spare and full of detail, thoughtfully told. full review

December 19, 2008
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

I would tell you to go out and see it for yourself, but you might take that as a recommendation rather than a plea for corroboration. Did I really see what I thought I saw? full review

December 19, 2008
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

The film closes on a meeting between two characters that's now wayyyy high on my list of weirdest moments in cinema. It is, I think, supposed to be touching. full review

December 19, 2008
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Will Smith has fame, fortune, and a beautiful family, but that's not enough -- he wants you to know what a beneficent guy he is too. full review

December 19, 2008
Boston Globe, Boston Globe

Too often the movie's preposterous ideas of goodly sacrifice blur the line between altruism and self-importance. full review

December 19, 2008
Michael Sragow, The Baltimore Sun

The whole narrative is too hollow and rickety as well as gimmicky for Muccino to breathe much life into it. full review

View more Seven Pounds reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • purrtycruisergal
    May 2, 2009
    purrtycruisergal
    I just finished watching it, and I have got to say that it started out a bit slow, but the storyline was absoloutly outstanding!
  • stephenafriyie
    April 16, 2009
    stephenafriyie
    A great film that I knew nothing about. The film builds up mystery and suspnse in a subtle and slow manner. Is Smith good or not? What's he planning? It keeps the audiences interest while the characters play out. It was nice to see such a straight drama with such a big star. Smith is a man without an ego, he gives the material the respect it deserves, never once stamping his personality over it. The direction is pretty faultless, with beautiful shots filled with fascinating imagery. The script is tight, even if it takes some shortcuts from time to time.
  • musa4real77
    April 6, 2009
    musa4real77
    WILL is my best in short his is my menthol, can wait to see him come to Nigeria, WILL i want to tell you that you have fun's here in Nigeria
  • hobo1964
    March 30, 2009
    hobo1964
    Seven Pounds of Happyness... as Will Smith puts more Willpower back on DVD and Blu-ray Disc.

    http://www.sonypictures.com/dvd
  • bluetiger28
    February 19, 2009
    bluetiger28
    Simply Beautiful
    This is the most touching movie i ever saw till now... the performance was great and the storyline was stuning... i was profundly impressed..
    speechless...
  • legendsterearthian
    January 25, 2009
    legendsterearthian
    Quiet a low budget but one of THE MOST ORIGINAL STORY-LINE & THE TOP QUALITY PERFORMANCES.
  • djgriff2
    January 19, 2009
    djgriff2
    Will Smith's quest for cinematic immortality continues...see this and understand why. Incredible and undeniably marvelous. The importance of the human spirit is portrayed here. A beautiful film.
  • maybe912
    January 15, 2009
    maybe912
    i love it ... so interesting story .. ..
    Will Smith was so great in this movie..
    even that i cry alooooot.. but i enjoy it so much..
  • mishkamiati
    December 30, 2008
    mishkamiati
    IMO Will Smith is one of the Best Actors in Hollywood today. Every movie he does, he does with Heart & with Passion. He really gets into his characters, & makes you believe he is who he portrays, and feel what he's feeling. such as for example, I-Robot, I Am Legend, and now, Seven Pounds. I've not yet seen the Pursuit of Happieness, but I want to. I just saw this movie last night, and I have to say that Will Smith did another Outstanding job in this role. He had me in tears almost from the very beginning of the movie. Granted, this movie is a bit slow, and seems a bit long...but when you finally realize what is really going on, it Really is Worth the wait. What his character did in this movie was/is Very inspiring, and Very heartbreaking at the same time. I don't know if I would have had the same Strength that he & his fellow actor Berry Pepper's character had in these roles. If I was put in the same predictiment, I don't know If I could have gone thru with it. Bravo Mr. Smith! WTG! :)
  • rachelb5220
    December 10, 2008
    rachelb5220
    I love will!! I'm psyched to see him in another movie. You can even see him online if you have internet on your phone, visit http://7pounds.mblade.iloopmobile.com/
Post A Comment | View All Comments

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

All Rotten Tomatoes content is used under license from Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes, Certified Fresh, and the Tomatometer are the trademarks of Incfusion Corporation, d/b/a Rotten Tomatoes, a subsidiary of IGN Entertainment, Inc.

Official Trailer

View Larger Seven Pounds Trailer

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Hitch
    Hitch (71%)
  • Pay It Forward
    Pay It Forward (80%)
  • I Am Legend
    I Am Legend (81%)
  • Babel
    Babel (60%)

More Movies like Seven Pounds

Theater Showtimes & TV Listings

Seven Pounds Trivia

  • Who had the lead role in "Seven Pounds"?  Answer »
  • What did ben thomas (Will Smith) in the movie Seven Pounds donate or give to Ezra Turner?   Answer »
  • What did ben thomas (Will Smith) in the movie Seven Pounds donate or give to Nicholas?   Answer »
  • What did ben thomas (Will Smith) in the movie Seven Pounds donate or give to Connie?   Answer »
More Seven Pounds Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Seven Pounds Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Seven Pounds to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View Seven Pounds News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

RemyMax Skin by RemyMax
1449 Profiles
Add to Profile

More Skins