Seven Pounds Review
“Seven Pounds,” which reunites Will Smith with Gabriele Muccino (who directed him in “The Pursuit of Happyness”), begins with a series of riddling, chronologically scrambled scenes. A man calls 911 to report his own suicide. He badgers a blind call-center employee – whom we suspect will be a significant character, since he’s played by Woody Harrelson – with complaints and insults. He embraces a lovely woman in an even lovelier beach house. He visits a nursing home where he terrorizes an administrator and comforts a resident.
For a while it is pleasant enough to contemplate these loose ends, and to tease from them the possible contours of a story. It is never unpleasant to watch Mr. Smith, who likes to play peekaboo with his charm, hiding it now and then behind fleeting shadows of anguish or malice. The music (Angelo Milli’s score and a handful of emotive pop songs) combines with the deep colors of Philippe Le Sourd’s cinematography to summon up intensities of sentiment not yet arrived at by the narrative, creating an interesting frisson of suspense. After a while, though, as the pieces of the puzzle snap together, curiosity gives way to incredulity…full story [The New York Times]
Within the movie’s first 20 minutes, it becomes clear that Ben is auditioning candidates — but for what? It appears he wants to make sure these candidates are really nice people, deserving of whatever largess he has the power to bestow upon them. Perhaps he’s running his own version of the Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes? But unlike Ed McMahon, he’s not going to show up at just anyone’s house with that big fat check.
As I think more about the plot, I can barely believe I’m not making it up. In fact, I wish I were making it up. But “Seven Pounds” — which was written by Grant Nierporte and directed by Gabriele Muccino — is all too real. Muccino directed Smith in “The Pursuit of Happyness,” a deeply affecting picture (based on a true story) about a guy who can’t make enough money to keep a roof over his head and that of his child, but who, after just squeaking into a stockbroker-training program, is able to turn his life around. The picture conveyed how easy it is to hit a few bad breaks and suddenly find yourself living close to the edge, even in the so-called land of opportunity. And Smith’s performance was piercing partly because he’s simply so winning as a performer: If the most likable guy on Earth can nearly slip off the edge of it, then the rest of us had better be wary. (I’m wondering how “The Pursuit of Happyness,” made in 2006 and set in the 1980s, would look now, given the terrifying state of our economy, but I’m not sure I can bring myself to watch it.) …full story [Salon.com] Continue Reading…
15 Photos and 3 Clips from Seven Pounds
Sony Pictures has revealed three brand new TV spots and photos from “Seven Pounds.” Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson also starring in the movie which Gabriele Muccino is directing from a script by Grant Nieporte.
The emotional story of a man who will change the lives of seven strangers Ben (Will Smith) is an IRS agent who is deeply depressed after the death of his wife, and guilt-ridden for mistakes from his past. He decides to kill himself, but to also help seven struggling individuals before doing so. When he meets Emily (Rosario Dawson), a beautiful woman with an heart condition, he falls in love with her, complicating his plans of suicide.
“Seven Pounds” arrives in theaters on December 19, 2008. Continue Reading…
Australia, Seven Pounds, Soul Men, Gran Torino Posters
Check out some new posters for Baz Luhrmann’s “Australia” starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman (November 26, 2008), Will Smith’s “Seven Pounds” (December 19, 2008), “Soul Men” and Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino.”
Will Smith’s “Seven Pounds” Trailer (updated)
Here’s the first trailer from Will Smith’s new movie “Seven Pounds.” Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson also starring in the movie which Gabriele Muccino is directing from a script by Grant Nieporte.
The story centers on a man Ben (Will Smith) who is deeply depressed after the death of his wife. Ben inadvertently falls in love while attempting to kill himself. Rosario Dawson will play a love interest who suffers from a serious heart condition. Woody Harrelson will portray a motel attendant who becomes intrigued by his suicidal new tenant.
http://www.worstpreviews.com/trailers/sevenpounds_trailer.flv
“Seven Pounds” is scheduled to hit theaters on December 19th 2008.
Update: 13. October 2008. (better quality Seven Pounds trailer)
Seven Pounds First Look
Here’s the first photo from Will Smith’s new movie “Seven Pounds.” Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson also starring in the movie which Gabriele Muccino is directing from a script by Grant Nieporte.
The emotional story of a man who will change the lives of seven strangers Ben (Will Smith) is an IRS agent who is deeply depressed after the death of his wife, and guilt-ridden for mistakes from his past. He decides to kill himself, but to also help seven struggling individuals before doing so. When he meets Emily (Rosario Dawson), a beautiful woman with an heart condition, he falls in love with her, complicating his plans of suicide.
“Seven Pounds” arrives in theaters on December 19, 2008.
