Seven Pounds

Will Smith, along with the same director that brought us the powerful “Pursuit of Happyness”, once again delivers a moving performance that is sure to delight his fans and perhaps  convert a few that aren’t already.

From the beginning Seven Pounds challenges the audience to enter into the world of the tormented “tax agent” Ben Thomas as the story, mainly told through several flashbacks, takes us through his long journey of redemption to a tear-jerking climax.

Seven Pounds does not quickly give up its secrets. For the first half of the movie we are left with very few clues to the exact point of Thomas’ strange and sometimes seemingly cruel actions. The opening scene, an emotional close up of Smith as he dials 911 to report his own suicide, sets the intriguing tone that will help to keep us involved throughout this two-hour long movie.

Mucchini masterfully keeps us in a state of suspense as we watch Thomas’ plan unravel as he continues to investigate the mysterious seven people he refers to in the beginning of the film, under the guise of an IRS agent. As more details of Thomas’ character and mission are given to us (in a very tantalizing manner), we are slowly brought deeper into Thomas’ scheme and the drastic steps he will take to fulfill it.

After encountering, and promptly falling for,  Emily Posa (Rosario Dawson), an artist with a heart condition and one of the seven, the movie begins to border on the dangerous territory of romantic sentimentality, but amazingly sincere performances from both Smith and Dawson ensure that we are kept engaged in the true meaning of Thomas’ mission.

Although Muchini has taken a risk with the continuous emotional tension and somewhat dark story, the delicate performances of its talented cast and the powerful climax encourage those who are willing to be drawn into the cryptic story to exit with a sense of upliftment. Definitely not to be missed.