Seven Pounds Review
by Steve Rhodes (steve DOT rhodes AT internetreviews DOT com)December 19th, 2008
SEVEN POUNDS
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2008 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): *
SEVEN POUNDS is directed by Gabriele Muccino, whose last project was directing the pilot for "Viva Laughlin," which some television critics called perhaps the worst TV show ever made. SEVEN POUNDS isn't that bad, which is not to say that it's good.
Starring Will Smith, who last teamed up with Muccino in THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, this film could have been called THE PURSUIT OF UNHAPPYNESS, since everyone in it is so morose. But, never fear, this is a tear-jerker of the first order. No matter how miserable everyone is, especially lead character Ben Thomas (Smith), there will be salvation at the end for some and tears for everyone. In short, prepare to gag.
The slow and sappy movie, which makes its two hour running time feel like four, begins with Ben telling us in voice-over with great sorrow that, "In seven days, God created the world, and, in seven seconds, I shattered mine." The confusing and convoluted story involves a malevolent or munificent IRS agent (Ben Thomas). Ben is a creepy figure who stalks his victims, but they shouldn't worry, since he has good intentions and plans on ultimately making their day with a surprise gift.
Filled with a god-complex, Ben likes to wax poetically but glumly about his powers. He tells one sick patient about her doctor that it is "within my power to dramatically change that man's circumstances." If this sounds like a threat for the IRS to confiscate all of the doctor's possessions for back taxes, it isn't. Ben's plans are weirder, not that you'll care. Once you've finally peeled back the last layer of this enigma of a plot, you'll be sorry you wasted so much trying to figure it all out, since it is completely unbelievable.
But, even if you buy every twist and turn of the story, the movie is so off-putting and distant that you'll still never care. This is perhaps the least compelling film of the year.
Filmed in shadows and set at such a sluggish pace that it would irritate a snail, the movie offers absolutely nothing for the viewers. Its single convincing message, which it hammers into our heads in every frame, is that Ben is sad, sad, sad.
If you've too much Christmas cheer and need a good cry, maybe SEVEN POUNDS is just the picture for you. On the other hand, you may find that you have a different reaction, something that attacks your stomach and not your eyes.
SEVEN POUNDS runs 1:58. It is rated PG-13 for "thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality" and would be acceptable for kids around 10 and up.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, December 19, 2008. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
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Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
