REELGUY’S DVD REVIEW: “Seven Pounds” -- Crushed under its own weight

Will Smith is one of the most bankable Hollywood stars today. Before the release of “Seven Pounds” he had a record seven consecutive films break the $100 million barrier. Smith also had eight consecutive number one box office opening weekends prior to Gabriele Muccino’s (“The Pursuit of Happyness”) new film. The walls came crashing down for both actor and director when “Seven Pounds” failed to connect with audiences and critics when released in December 2008. The story is incomprehensible from the very beginning, requiring a viewer’s infinite patience until the final half hour when all is revealed. This requires watching a movie that doesn’t make much sense for an hour and a half, too long for even a diehard fan of Mr. Smith‘s.

Smith is Ben Thomas, a man with a secret. He seeks out people he doesn’t know and tries to determine whether they’re good people. Whatever he is promising to do for these good people it is kept secret from the viewer for most of the movie. While searching out strangers to “help” he meets Emily Posa (Rosario Dawson; “Eagle Eye”), an unhealthy woman leading a quiet life. While he remains emotionally detached from the other strangers he meets, Ben connects with Emily on a personal level. But he will not open up about himself to her and what happened in his past. They must accept this odd arrangement until Ben finally does what he’s promised to do.

Smith is an easily likeable and quite capable actor. Ben appears to be holding back a floodgate of emotions most of the story, only occasionally allowing an outburst. Knowing more about what is happening with Ben and why he is upset and so determined would make “Seven Pounds” a less demanding film to follow and Ben an easier protagonist to understand. What good is a pained expression or a crying jag if the audience has no idea why its happening? Instead the mystery is held back from the viewer so long that the movie becomes irredeemable, even when the truth is finally released.

While I like the twist at the end, the psychological impact would have been more profound if clues had been sprinkled throughout the earlier scenes -- like in “The Sixth Sense” -- so when the big reveal occurs, the viewer can pretend they knew it all along. In “Seven Pounds the story’s most basic plot is hidden away from view, something even M. Night Shyamalan hasn’t dared to do. The supporting actors aren’t given much time to leave an impression, popping in and out of the storyline. I would have liked to know the Woody Harrelson and Barry Pepper characters better but they are wasted in glorified cameo appearances.

Dawson is the most sympathetic character because her illness is well established, along with her hopes and fears. The relationship between Emily and Ben could only be so effective because of Smith’s smothered performance. Ultimately, the blame lies with the director who tried to turn a melodrama into a mystery. “Seven Pounds” is crushed under its own artificially created weightiness.

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality.