Follow us on

Dvd

Seven Pounds

Seven Pounds

2008

The actor/director combination of Will Smith and Gabrielle Muccino who brought you The Pursuit of Happyness join forces again. Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent whose existence is so numbing his state borders on suicidal. First though, he seeks redemption for the wrongdoings of his life, a task he intends to fulfil by changing the lives of seven deserving strangers. Everything changes though when he falls in love with one of those recipients (Rosario Dawson). Woody Harrelson co-stars as a blind pianist who also comes in for the Good Samaritan treatment, while Connor Cruise, the adopted son of Tom and Nicole, gets his first big screen role too.

Starring Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper, Madison Pettis, Michael Ealy, Connor Cruise

Directed by Gabriele Muccino ('The Pursuit of Happyness')

Written by Grant Nieporte

Drama | 2hr 3mins | Rated (M) | contains adult themes | Origin: USA | Official Site »

Trailers
Reviews
  • SHARE:
    Tweet This Send to Facebook Email View more services

The Talk

19 votes / No comments

0

Want to see it

What say you? Yes No

  •  

     

  • Be the first to comment!

  •  

     

Get it off your chest:

Want to see it?

Flicks review

  •  2

    The first act of Seven Pounds is a riddling hodgepodge of non-linear narrative that attempts to create a sense of mystery. It’s also something of a first - how often is it that a film reviewer can sit through the first thirty minutes of a mainstream movie and not understand what’s happening?

    I yawned all the way through the disjointed and dramatically unsatisfying middle section as every underwritten and confusing scene passed, with a hunch that this was headed for the absurd. Eventually those suspicions were confirmed, after two hours (they felt longer) of waiting. You will never hear of a dramatic premise so ridiculous and downright morally dubious. I can’t give anything away here (that’s by no means an incentive to see this drivel) but let’s just say there’s a jellyfish involved.

    That’s right – this is all very, very silly stuff. Harder to swallow, however, is the expectation that we should be emotionally moved by this tripe. Has Will Smith, who also produced this, lost his mind? These filmmakers must be operating under the assumption that audiences are stupid, because this is a pious, manipulative, morally repugnant, laughably bad excuse for a drama. One star added for decent production value and a likeable Rosario Dawson.

    Agree? Disagree?...

The people's reviews

15 reviews

  • Enjoyed it but read the label before consuming!

     4

    Mark

    Nobody (?)

    This is a maudlin movie. You know the sort of diminished sentimentality that you find most often in American chick-flicks.

    However, I still enjoyed it!

    It is a wonderful watch if you like to enjoy the journey. Music, if you like the tunes used, fill the gaps - literally intermezzos. And colour or the lack of it is used to emphasise the emotional condition of the main character. Nicely done.

    Avoid this if you like "truth" movies that draw you along with the storyline or the characters. This movie is a contrived "falsity": you cannot engage in the first half because it is too hidden and the second-half is a bit convenient. Perhaps that's why 'D F Stuckey' (see review below) sees a "glaring problem" that does not exist as this is not a movie about a tax man. Maybe D F Stuckey didn't watch the last 15 minutes or got that impression from the trailer!?

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • I liked this Movie!

     4

    Ray Fowke

    Nobody (?)

    Why is it that the younger generation of today seem only be fully entertained by reality and/or massive action? Although I do have to concede that the initial explanation of this drama's storyline was a bit 'mysterious and clouded', especially at the beginning of the movie, the topic and situations were a little different and some quite thought-provoking. No bombing, explosions or killing, no bad language, or escape from improbable, mind-numbing violence, just entertaining, a little romantic, and with an 'unexpected' ending. I liked this movie!

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • Overuns by 2 hours

     1

    Crucades

    Nobody (?)

    The movie is a complex mess of bad direction and surprisingly bad acting from Will Smith. Dawson steals the show with a solid performance in from Woody.

    Very missable tale of self destruction and how guilt can make a man illogical.

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • get to the point please

     2

    Krystall

    Nobody (?)

    i just needed to watch it all the way through to see what the bloomin heck this movie was about. Will smith right? had to be good... had to GET BETTER. nothing of the sort unfortunately

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • OTT

     1

    Maria

    Nobody (?)

    Had us going for the first part and we were ready to leave an hour in without a bad taste in our mouths.
    But there was more....and omg it did go on. Looks like something someone who no longer lives in Australia would make wearing there rose coloured glasses. Over acted and too PC. Loved Nullah but he too was a bit cliched. Just got irritating and laughable.

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • Fantastic movie

     4

    Grant

    Nobody (?)

    I must say I am very surprised that some people have called this movie trash. I throughly enjoyed the movie & really enjoyed the plot & the fact that it was thought provoking & not like the usual Hollywood Predictable Crap.

    The movie did make me cry & I don't have a problem admitting that, as that is just further proof that the director & actors/actress's have done a marvellous job on this one.

    A must see in my book - go see it with an open mind & be prepared to be challenged & stimulated by "what's gonna happen next".

    Cheers, G

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • Almost a classic

     4

    J T

    Nobody (?)

    The only thing missing from this movie is more information at the beginning to give you a clue as to what is happening.

    My guess is the bad reviews stem from people who got lost and when the film wound up they felt bad for missing the point.

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • Guilty as charged!

     5

    Epicurean

    Nobody (?)

    I am surprised that the flick.co.nz film reviewer Andrew Hedley couldn't appreciate this movie by applying its notions to his own life. The guilt of Will Smith's character and the valuing each day on Earth by the character Emily played by Rosario Dawson. Having the privilege of seeing the world through other peoples eyes is what films are all about. This film was unusual for a Hollywood movie because it didn't have a happy ending. In fact the ending is disturbing.

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • Nice stuff

     4

    Kay Rasta

    Nobody (?)

    A very good movie but sadly not for the idle minded..

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • Well worthwhile watch

     4

    April

    Nobody (?)

    An intriguing worthwhile watch, with credible acting talent hitherto unseen from Will Smith. While the reality of the plot could be questioned in the real-world sense, this movie is thoroughly gripping and thought provoking at a level not many movies reach. A must see !

    Agree? Disagree?...

Write your review...

  • After submitting your review, you will need to login or signup to Flicks.
    Don't worry though, we'll keep your review and post it after you're done.

Press Reviews

  • Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

    Some people will find it emotionally manipulative. Some people like to be emotionally manipulated. I do, when it's done well.
    Read full review

  • Empire [UK]

     2

    A collage of strong scenes, dull bits, good filmmaking and a dissatisfying emotional payoff. A laudable attempt to tackle heavyweight subject-matter that ends up just being heavy weather.
    Read full review

  • FilmThreat.com [USA]

    Seven Pounds is the very definition of a 'noble failure.'
    Read full review

  • Hollywood Reporter

    The film's Italian director does achieve in his second American outing a pleasing blend of Hollywood professional sheen and European sensitivity to character details and nuances.
    Read full review

  • New York Times

    The most transcendently, eye-poppingly, call-your-friend-ranting-in-the-middle-of-the-night-just-to-go-over-it-one-more-time crazily awful motion pictures ever made.
    Read full review

  • NZ Herald [Russell Baillie]

     2

    It's truly gruelling. And while the Shakespeare reference might be just one of this film's more obvious confused ideas, at least that title is about half right. Because Seven Pounds sure sinks like a stone.
    Read full review

  • Variety [USA]

    An endlessly sentimental fable about sacrifice and redemption that aims only at the heart at the expense of the head. Intricately constructed so as to infuriate anyone predominantly guided by rationality and intellect.
    Read full review

  • Village Voice [USA]

    Dispiritingly obvious and phony from top to bottom.
    Read full review

Search For a DVD

I beg your pardon?

  • Flicks.co.nz is serving the great nation of NZ with all things cinematic. Question about a movie or cinema? Thoughts on the site? Quips, gripes, advice for our own personal self-development?
  • Get in touch with us by email at ED@ FLICKS.CO.NZ,on TWITTER oron FACEBOOK.

Flicks User Ratings

Find out more