"In seven days,God created the world.And in seven seconds I shattered mine."
Ok,I rented this movie not knowing anything about it.I really hadn't read any of the reviews because I wanted to be suprised.And surprised I was.If you don't know or you don't want to know what this movie is about don't read any more.At the beginning Ben Thomas(Will Smith)claims to be an IRS agent complete with identifications that says that to be the case.He is investigating people with tax problems, but it doesn't take long for us to realize that he has other interests than whether the people on his list claimed any unallowed deductions or not.Despite an opening scene in which he is rude to a telephone customer service agent, we figure he's probably a nice guy. After a few more minutes, we learn that he is indeed on some kind of mission to help people. But how will he help? And why is he compelled to provide it?It becomes clear that this movies is going to take its time letting you know what it's up to. In fact, the story never becomes fully clear until the ending. Which was ok with me. It was nice not knowing the whole thing within the first 10 minutes.The story centers on Thomas's investigation of Emily Posa ( Rosario Dawson), whom he first finds in a hospital. The nature of her illness causes her to hold him at a distance. Later, as she becomes attracted to him and the kindness she doesn't quite understand, he tries to keep her at a distance. Falling in love is not part of the plan. Dawson's aura is so fiery that every character she plays is ablaze with charisma, spunk and independence. It's no spoiler that she forms a strong bond with Ben but their relationship gives Seven Pounds a unexpectedly pleasant romantic tone.
Other supporting characters include Barry Pepper as Ben's best bud. They have some kind of arrangement but that, too, is shrouded in mystery until the big finish.Ben's brother(MichaelEaly). Who recently gave a memorable turn in Miracle At St. Anna . I've never seen Elpidia Carrillo before but her depiction of the physically abused mother, "Connie", was very solid. Woody Harrelson is featured as blind customer service agent / pianist "Ezra Turner". Harrelson doesn't have a huge role in the film but his character is pivotal to the plot.
Finally, there is a interesting pieces about some background items in the film that ended up playing major roles. "The Box Jellyfish: World's Deadliest Co-Star" is a five minute look at the creature, detailing what it is and how it kills.The reason Ben is doing all of this is because while on the road with his wife driving.He looks down at his Blackberry,drifts over to the wrong lane and collides with an oncoming mini van.That crash kills is wife and six others.After he gives his brother a lung(he had lung cancer),we do not learn about that until the end.An idea comes to him,an idea of how he can repay his debt.If you haven't figured out what the seven pounds is yet,it is the weight of one lung,one heart,two eyes,one kidney and a bone marrow transplant.
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