Seven Pounds is a movie about a man's attempt at redemption. The lengths that Will Smith goes to in order to obtain redemption are unbelievable without viewing the entire film.
It has so many twists and turns that even the sharpest moviegoer couldn't connect until the movie ends. Smith's character and his life have to be followed very closely to understand the plot as there are frequent flashbacks and introductions to new characters that aren't readily explained.
Will Smith plays an Internal Revenue Agent investigating a strange collection of people in trouble with the tax man. Rosario Dawson, is one of them. She is dying of congestive heart failure and he decides to cut her some slack. A relationship soon ensues. He investigates many other people including Harrelson who plays a blind telemarketer. Smith is beyond cruel to him and later tries to make amends.
Any doubts that Smith could shed his role as the clown from his television roles or goofy action movies are set aside by this movie. This one sets him apart.
In some ways the the movie is like a slide show with a series of detached images that are only sewn up at the end. Smith and Dawson and possibly others may be nominated for Golden Globes and Oscars for this movie. It's that good.
It opened in wide release on December 19th.
Five popcorn buckets out of five. The movie, the actors and the performances all come together perfectly
