Seven Pounds is one of those films that has a good payoff at the end, but it is tough getting there. The story is about a guy who helps seven strangers. Honestly that is about all I can tell you. It really is a journey about why he is doing this. You are trying to figure out what Will Smith‘s character has done and why he is full of guilt. There are a lot of questions and all is answered in the last five minutes of the movie. No hints or clues, but you will understand everything and know the reason for the film’s title.
However, the journey obtaining all of the answers is borderline boring. There are good performances from Smith and Rosario Dawson, but it does not provide much help. There are some fragmented parts and a lot of talking. The movie loses some of its focus, while the seven strangers are never really given a lot of attention. We may see them in a few scenes and then they return at the end in order to connect the dots. This mystery drama does give clues and you may be able to figure out some things that happen in the end. Yet, it’s highly possible you may not see the big picture, but I don’t think you are supposed to.
Seven Pounds reunites Smith and director Gabriele Muccino after doing Pursuit of Happyness last year. There’s no comparing the two as the message of this movie is not nearly as impactful as their former. This movie is better by the ending. Everything seems to make sense. I think you’ll leave the theater pleased, but not impressed. You will remember the ending, but easily forget how you got there.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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