What Would You Do With 'Seven Pounds'?

by Brett Parker

I had a professor in college who loved thought-provoking films. He worshipped films that pose big questions to an audience, revolve around moral dilemmas, and evokes thoughtful discussions afterwards. I think of this professor as I watch Seven Pounds, a film I think he would enjoy. The film slowly unravels to reveal a very complicated moral situation that will undoubtedly challenge moviegoers’ thoughts. This isn’t an easy-breezy melodrama but a wounded and heartbreaking tale of redemption that allows the viewer to sort through its blurred moralities.

Will Smith stars as Ben Thomas, a withdrawn and enigmatic IRS agent who appears to be on a mission of redemption. For the film’s first hour, we see Ben observing and interacting with various people, trying to figure out if they are each decent and genuine people. One thing all of these people have in common is that they have a physical handicap or a personal struggle in their lives that hold them back from complete happiness. It grows obvious that Ben wants to improve their lives with what appears to be an elaborate plan he obsesses over. Only as the film progresses do we realize how all the pieces fit and the enormity of Ben’s plan is realized.

It’s also obvious that Ben is a broken man who is unable to forgive himself for some sort of tragedy in his past. His friend Dan (Barry Pepper) tearfully agrees to help Ben with his mission although it’s obvious he is anguished by it. Ben’s Brother (Michael Ealy) tries desperately to re-enter his life, but Ben keeps a considerable distance, as if to spare him from more heartache. Ben’s best relationship in the film is with Emily (Rosaria Dawson), a sweet woman who suffers from a failing heart. They slowly grow a real affection for each other and we briefly glimpse Ben rediscovering feelings of warmth and happiness. But alas, Ben sticks to his elaborate plan with haunting results.

I know I’ve been extremely vague about the details of Ben’s plan, but so is the film. Ben’s motives are kept under tight wraps until the film’s final 15 minutes, although observant moviegoers will probably be able to figure things out rather quickly (I know I did). Considering what we eventually learn about Ben’s plan, it was probably best to hold all the details until the very end. There are some viewers who will probably object to the film’s motives and to have revealed them at the forefront would probably cause those viewers to reject the film before it even gets going. By prolonging the explanation, we get to know Ben and the people surrounding his mission very intimately. We come to greatly understand their needs and feelings. Even if we don’t agree with Ben’s plan in the end, we at least understand his need to have one.

Paul Newman once said that it’s more fun as an actor to play characters that are the complete opposite of yourself. Indeed, it’s always interesting to watch movie stars create characters that contrast differently with their public personas. Will Smith the person seems like one of the nicest and happiest movie stars alive. He always seems extremely generous, charismatic, and outgoing in interviews and appearances. So it’s rather curious and fascinating that he’s attracted to withdrawn and conflicted characters. Notice the characters he’s played lately in I Am Legend, Hancock, and now Seven Pounds: these are hardened and disillusioned men concealing deep wounds in a protective shell. Seething anger and crippling sadness lurk ever so closely to their surfaces, almost causing their nerves to collapse. That Smith can play such dark notes to perfection is rather astonishing.

Smith’s appeal is important to this material, for it lures us into this emotional journey and towards its complex conclusion. There are those who accuse this movie of being manipulative. Perhaps it is, but the film’s articulate plotting and heartfelt performances make it a competent and compelling drama in its own right. Besides, I like the way it evokes strong moral questions about redemption and justifying good. If one carries out the ultimate good deed by committing the ultimate sin, can it still be considered a justified redemption? We’re always quick to applaud heroes who make huge sacrifices for the ones they love, well what about when they do so for complete strangers? Would you do what Ben does if you had been through what he’d been through?

I wish the film had tighter pacing and arrived at its point a tad quicker, but these are only minor complaints. I’m very thankful that Seven Pounds isn’t just a cookie cutter melodrama out to please mass audiences but actually gives viewers complex ideas to think about long after the movie is over. It’s such a pleasure to watch Will Smith avoid typical Hollywood vehicles and challenge himself with haunted and heartbreaking roles. The film was directed Gabrielle Muccino, who worked with Smith before on The Pursuit of Happyness. That film packed an emotional punch that honestly made me cry. It’s some kind of miracle that Smith and Muccino pull off that feat again.