I've seen this film more than eight times already, yet Seven Pounds never missed to give me that weird feeling at the end of the movie. It was painful to see a guy who successfully kills himself, but also I felt happy for the things he has contributed to those seven chosen people whom at least he thought deserving for his good deed. The movie discusses deep themes of morality, honor, love, and a hundred other sensitive issues, in other words it's a movie of pretty heavy stuff in the emotions. It is presented in a very non-linear form which I've always been a fan of (like most of the Tarantino Films as well as the recent Marc Webb film 500 Days of Summer). Drama in its theme, it captures myself right from the beginning; as Will Smith's character Ben Thomas reports himself of a suicide he's about to commit. I've been intrigued then throughout the movie what the details of the opening sequence is all about. The scenes answers Ben's true character as the film gradually unveils the pain and sufferings of the main character. It was like solving a piece of the puzzle at a time to reveal the entire picture.
Perhaps a lot of the reviews have been discussing on the tiny little details of the flaws of the film, yet for me the film captivates human nature and how feelings are so strong that they tend to bend anything that blocks their way. It is a difficult film about distorting norms to portray honor, love, and nobility. Honor for the victims of the accident -- that Ben felt he's responsible of , helping other people who really deserve a better chance -- motivated by the guilt or pain he's going through, and likewise to love a person unconditionally even by giving away the protagonist's life in the end. The wrongful action in the end through a suicide though is indeed morally wrong, yet through the eyes of Ben Thomas it was totally different. For him it was unfair for the victims of the crash, most especially to the person the he values most in his life. It was like a film on "how to justify a suicide in the most noble way"; which is indeed perfectly ironic. There are other brave movies like Straw Dogs and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind that didn't make money in the box office, yet made a success by having their own following like this film.
Gabriele Muccino and Will Smith began working together with The Pursuit of Happyness, and it seems that their relationship as actor-director tandem seem to be perfectly working well. Will Smith probably discovered a different and emotional side of his acting ability working with the Italian-director. Seven Pounds is definitely a character-driven story, as Ben's melancholic face hides a deeper secret to his audience. And he may seem to be over the top for the role, but without Smith's great acting, the movie will be just plain dull and lifeless. The supporting casts had great performances also like Rosario Dawson as the other love interest, and Barry Pepper as the ever-loyal best-friend all contributory to carry out the character of Ben.
Muccino's brave effort to discuss the complexity of story is pretty much well delivered. Despite of a heavy lead actor movie, he didn't go to the main stream which again tries to make a following of its own. A great sample of fantastic filmmaking and highlights memorable scenes. The film is surely not for everyone, but I'm certain enough I'd like to see more of these type of films in the coming decades...
