I’ve seen the poster for this but beyond that haven’t really dug into it up until now. Will Smith teamed up once again with the director and producers he worked with in Pursuit of Happyness for the movie Seven Pounds.
The synopsis of the film is very succinct:
The emotional story of a man who will change the lives of seven strangers.
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In addition to Will Smith the film stars Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson. Italian director Gabriele Muccino impressed me with “Happyness” and I’m sure this will be quite the emotionally moving film as well (I’m a sucker for these things, although I generally don’t go out of my way to watch them).
Check out the poster and the trailer below:
Will Smith Seven Pounds poster
Official movie site: SevenPounds.com
Seven Pounds opens on December 19th.
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126 Comments
LOL…
I am sure you do agree Vic. You got a nice set of ears too!!!
The reference to 7 pounds is definitely adapted from The Taming of the Shrew. It was also used in the movie “Se7en” as the psychotic reasoning being one of the killings.
I don’t think the gift Ben had brought for Emily had any relevance other than that they both clearly enjoyed the traditional and somewhat tactile way of listening to music; on a turntable. Its pretty obvious it was a record. Someone in this discussion thought it may have been a calendar! I think that would’ve been a very inappropriate gift and wouldn’t reflect Ben’s acute sense of empathy for others.
The relevance of the jellyfish (not an octopus, as someone said!), was it was clearly a special memory he had from his childhood. I guess a metaphor was being created: that such a thing of beauty could cause so much pain – and that Ben making the ultimate sacrifice could in turn offer others their greatest gift; life (heart, kidney, bone marrow, liver), sight, humility (old woman) & freedom (mother and her children).
A profound film.
OK so i just saw this movie, and its Will Smiths best ever! The movie is set out perfectly and for the people who think it was slow should try and pay attention to the little details (hints etc) in the movie.
As for the “Seven Pounds” yes because of his little mistake (using his cell phone while driving!) 7 people died in the crash, and after watching the movie a second time it occurs to me that its “seven pounds” of burden (as in 1 pound for each person who died cause of him) that his trying to get of him by giving the other 7 a new life. ( referenced to Shakespearean play as mentioned above already!)
Just seen the movie. I did not think it washard to figure out. It was an exceptional movie. Yes, it was slow moving… but it was good throughout. I do wish that we could have seen Ezra actually finding out he had eyes donated to him. QUESTION: Where did the brother go … I thought he was waiting for him outside? Did Will take the car and the ID from his brother? Is that why the brother took the car also?
No, Ben snuck out behind the house to run back to his motel room as he knew it was time to do what he’d been planning (probably motivated by the talk he’d had with Emily). And no, the car wasn’t his a as he asks Ben “Give me your keys” when he demands them from him. But yes, the ID was his brother’s.
Hello Everyone, I’ve read All the Comments and I find them all very interesting and others Funny (in a Nice Way). I like the Shakespeare theory on the Title “7 pounds.” I personally, am going to Blow your Mind by giving my own Opinion on what the Title means? At First, I was thinking that Will Smith’s character is Saving 7 lives hence the Name “7 Pounds.” Seven “Pounding Hearts” aka “7 pounds” that he will attempt to save, before he gives up on his own life to join his wife up in Heaven. Then, the More and More I thought about it?,that’s when it Hit me like a Ton of Bricks. He was Saving Lives and Giving “NEW Birth” to these 7 Strangers that he had been Monitoring (or Auditing if you will?, as he stole his brother’s identity and disguised himself as an IRS Agent). The Title “7 Pounds” means Giving a “New Beginning” to someone who is trust worthy and is doing a good deed on this Earth. A “Born Again” Human, who wants to live and deserves a Second Chance at Life. Think About it?? The Average Baby born in America, weighs (hold it……………wait a minute………don’t tell me…………you got to be kidding me…………AdaN you’re a Genius………) Yes!!! That’s Right……**** ” 7 POUNDS ” *** (Man, I’m Good!! -lol-) But, you guys are all good and have Valid points. I think it’s irrelavant if Will Smith (whatever his Real Name was?? Because Ben Thomas was his brother and we never knew his name??) forgot to give Emily (aka Puerto Rican Hottie Rosario Dawson) her a New Record as a Gift, or who drove the car Home the next morning, and was that his only suit, etc…?? You’re Missing “The Big Picture.” Emily obviously had some Tax Issues, due to her Medical Expenses. So, what better way to get to know someone, other than the IRS Agent?? In
which Ironically his brother worked for the IRS. If I had a Heart Condition?? Would you Rather have some Vinyl as a Gift?? Or a New Heart?? (I don’t know bout you but I would lean more towards a New Heart) If you’re still curious what a Jellyfish looks like?? Check out Spongebob on Nickelodeon sometime, and you’ll be able to tell the difference between a Octopus, Squid(ward), and a Jellyfish?? Or the Discovery Channel might help out too…lol!! Don’t Mention it Guys. I don’t mean to bash anyone, I was just addressing some Questions viewers had?? Love U Guys and God Bless!! I enjoyed the Comments by everyone, Especially Vic and Hogg…..
Take Care, – PaChAnGa -
an amazing film will smiths best by a long way best film ive seen in years
Great movie! I also wondered about the present and what was in it. My husband believes it could have been printing paper from the era of the printing press he fixed. It’s possible, same size etc. And he was going to grab it at the time he had just shown her the fixed press. It could have been an LP but definately not a calender! My husband says it’s the American version of Australia’s road safety adds but a little longer, but certainly left him thinking! I thought the box jelly would leave toxin’s in his heart did anyone else wonder that?
Great film.
Is it just me being stupid because no one seems to have brought it up. But why those seven people? Were they just random or did they have some connection?
I love Will Smith and think I am legend is his greatest film but this comes a close second his acting is amazing.
Hi guys and girls,
I have watched this movie yesterday and here is my 3 cents to everything you’ve said before.
First of all, the title. I disagree that the title SEVEN POUNDS only relates to Shakespeare, weight of the baby born in US, total weight of the organs donated. I’m absolutely sure it’s all of that, and people who were thinking of the title were aware of all of that + more. You see, that is what I was taught the art is, back at school. 2 + 2 = 4 is not an art, because everyone looking at this sees the same. Art is something, which have double, triple, or lots of meanings. Just like naming this film SEVEN POUNDS.
Also it is important for me to reply to someone who said the movie was boring because he/she was trying to figure out what’s it all about for the first 45 minutes. I’m really sorry, but if you only like movies which are obvious as to what’s gonna happen, I believe you have just failed. I want movie to surprise me, I want the plot to be more intelligent that I could imagine, and I want to be hit in the face with reality and emotions coming out of it.
One more thing – the name of the person he was playing could have been Tim, I guess. That’s the name he’s using when telling Emily a story over a cell phone, when she fainted and had been taken to the hospital.
As to the pace of this film – I think it’s perfect. This is a story of the last week/two weeks of guys life. He had been thinking about what he’s going to do for a long time, he keeps asking himself should he redeem himself by doing what he’s planned to do, or should he just let go and find another way of forgiving himself. You can’t show this process in an action-style paced film.
That’s all
Ps. Actually two more thing. When he goes to bed with Emily? I think that’s the typical ounce of Hollywood production, pushing the film further away from the art.
Ps2. One question I was asking myself – will he let all the people know he was the organ donor – he did, and that was okay. But if he didn’t he would follow what he said before – “You’re a good person even when no one is looking at you”.
Still one of the best movies in the last year!
Someone asked earlier why these seven people? I think the reason may be one of two reasons. I think the first reason was becuase of his rare blood type (which Rosario Dawson’s character had). Second reason, is because of the tax issues. I think he wanted to help people in financial need with the tax man.
Not sure how he would figure out who had health issues AND tax problems.
I still think about this movie and it was more than a week ago I seen it in the theatre.
SO— how many of you all have went back for a second viewing? I think I am returning tomorrow night to see it.
I am planning to see it again on the 15th of March in another country to compare the original with Polish subtitles,
Morris
I cannot believe some people think the human heart weighs half a stone.
11 OUNCES IS NOT 5-8 POOUNDS. Never heard of when a baby is born and weighs (for example) 6 pounds 7 ounces?
It is a reference to both the amount of people he helped, and NOT the taming of the shrew, it was the Merchant of Venice.
Uneducated people.
I loved the film, i thought it was Will Smiths best performance yet. Those who didn’t see the point, thought it was just depressing, or thought it was only the last ten minutes worth watching obviously didn’t really understand it.
Yes, The Merchant of Venice is correct. A mistake made by some, including myself. Just a pity that certain people on here have to throw their weight around being opinionated & a tad pompous when all this group was meant for was to give different opinions on the film. Cinema is an art…..some people feel something; others don’t. That doesn’t mean they don’t “get it”; it just means it didn’t say to them what it said to others.
I really look forward to hearing many other takes on this film, be they positive or negative or indifferent; just not domineering & opinionated.
I am speechless.
I loved this movie. Pretty much what everyone else said it took a little while to catch on but once I did I realized how good it was. Can’t wait to add this to the DVD collection.
WOW!!! I really procrastinated to see this one cuz I heard it was a tear jerker and couldn’t bring myself to see it. Finally plucked up the courage today and…WOW!! Will is great…as he always will be! My husband’s reaction was “he should have just gotten counselling!!” lol…but seriously, this film moves you to the core and seems to challenge your own sense of selflessness…great job Will!!
I everyone, i’ve seen the film a few weeks ago and i’m still puzzled!
I remember hearing Will Smith saying to Oprah Winfrey: Making people happy can make yourself happy….but that was a bit too much.
I don’t understand why he was sacrifying himself like that. I know, he was really depressed with his accident killing his own family, but….
I was trying to see what they are trying to tell me but i don’t understand it…
I might go back for a second time to understand it better!!!
Have a nice day!
Well – I thought this movie was COMPLETELY obvious as to what was going to happen in the end. I mean – anyone watching the first few minutes would note – hes calling 911, something obviously happened to distress him in the past. Hmmm Jelly fish in the room with him… geee wonder if hes going to use that… You can gather what is going to happen in the first 15 minutes of the movie and another 90 for the obvious to play out. Only thing I didnt know was about the stolen credentials from his brother.. but that didnt matter – just made me think worse of Will’s character, Tim. Im sorry, because I love Will Smith, he does do a great job, but this movie was just too obvious to me. I also didnt like the fact we really dont get to know his character. What was he before, good man? maybe. After the accident.. why is there nothing but self loathing. I dont see this as selflessness but more self loathing. He cant stand living with the ACCIDENT he caused? come on – it was an ACCIDENT. You’re going to commit suicide? You think your dead wife would want you to kill yourself or move on, try to get connect with the people left behind whose lives were effected by your actions, find meaning in life, God?? Sorry it just bothered me that he takes no value in his life at all- maybe he could design rollover protection in cars or something to prevent that kind of accident from happening again – I dont know – something more than that. Whatever – it got us all talking though.
To Dave S….
You made some really good points!! An accident is an accident. Instead of commiting suicide, do something good with your life, something relative to the accident – make lemonade out of lemons! He was trying too hard to be a hero for those seven people but in the process needlessly gave up another life -HIS.
I haven’t read all he commentary but noticed so far no one has written of one of the significant points in the movie. He chose to suicide int his way to finish paying back the “seven pounds” he felt he owed (as per the comments on The Merchant of Venice, yes) but it was not just that he felt responsible for seven people’s deaths that lead to his choice. He felt lost and alone without his beloved wife, and had no reason to continue living without her. Yes, especially since her death was (he felt) the result of his carelessness, but absolutely beside that he did not want to live without her.
This is teh reason for his behavior just prior to his suicide…he had fallen in love again (with Emily) and so had found a reason to go on living, finally, for the first time since his wife’s death. But Emily’s chances for a heart other than his were nil because of their rare blood type, so if he didn’t go through with it, she was going to die too. He had chosen to live again because of her…and then he went through with his original plan because she wasn’t going to survive to be with him anyway. That was the ultimately poignant point of the film. To have no reason to go on, find one, and then give up the life you now want to live by chosing death to exchange your life for the life of one you love.
The IRS agent ploy was simply to enable him to get access to information about the people he was screening for help. Some of that could be done by computer, but in some cases he needed to ask them questions in person too. Can you imagine most people just volunteering information to some stranger? But we’re all scared of the IRS, especially when we know we owe taxes –as did Emily and the guy at the nursing home.
i thought the last scene where rosario’s heart makes her cry seeing woody’s eyes was the best moment in the film. that the film was obvious except for the tim-bob relationship is beside the point. the question that the film raised which i found engrossing was the whole value of human life question. is good better than bad, is seven better than one.
while the film had a whole set of problems– most important of which is that the donation system works on a list. you can’t say i will give my eyes to you or my heart to you. rich america will be writing suicide notes for the homeless in a jiffy if that was the case.
i thought the role of smith’s friend the lawyer or whatever was partuicularly unnerving. on the whole the film was ok. engrossing well made well acted sufficient amount of violins in the background to tweak the tear ducts, sufficient big smile with you heart momemts, reasonably cathartic.
i was disappointed that the film maker doesn’t push the ideas of good and bad and deserving further. also, there is no question of bob’s (the irs brother) deserving the kidney other than his blood relation and that he’s a father. smith is a good actor but being his brother doesn’t mean he’s “good”.
still great film.
Actually a kidney donation recipient CAN be specified…it happens often from one family member to another simply because of good tissue matching. I have never heard of it happening in the case of a heart, but if the recipient is one of those at the top of the list and is of an extremely rare type and the heart comes available right next door in the same town, so to speak, it is quite likely to go to that recipient, so it’s not totally far-fetched though it is wierdish. and…uh…most homeless people’s hearts won;t be good matches for most rich people’s bodies, not to mention VERY bad risks as a donor organ considering the conditions their bodies tend to be in.
The part with the eyes was utterly impossible, of course…eyes can’t be transplanted. Only corneas can be transplanted. In other words, Woody’s eyes would be the same eyeball, same color iris, etc…only the clear part at the very front of the eyeball is different. I wish they’d get that straight in movieland…this is not the first time I’ve seen that particular fubar made.
I have heard a few times viewing comments, people who say wils character shouldnt have done that etc etc etc, it a film. Critisise the acting etc, not the plot. Maybe in real life it would be better for a man to get over it because it was an accident, but aint that what most people in the world do, go to chuch or something. I respect uniqueness in the world and i think it was a brilliant plot that a lot of people who commit suicide, should take heed of, before they just put a gun to their head or hop off a building. Notice will smiths character in his last 3 films, he wants to die, or is pissed off with his situation. Symbolic of the struggle we face. Last but not least, I think depending on the side of the brain you use most, will determine wether you like the movie or not. I think the side of the brain that is stimulated by cars blowing up, gunshots, blood and guts, is not the same side of brain you use to watch seven pounds. But to me in life, you are suppossed to train yourself to use both sides at will. The matrix movie requires you to use both. So stop being ignorant, you one sided people.
My favourite films in the world are the movies that require you to think while the movie is going, and after, and you have to watch it again.
Someone earlier said they knew the whole plot from the start, i find that hard to believe, not saying it is impossible. But to me it was as hard to work out as sixth sense. I thought he wanted to commit suicide but wasnt going to. You know movies, plus i have seen a movie b4 that starts with someone wanting to commit suicide, but they change their mind at the end. If someone can remind me of the title that would be nice.
@gee
So what you’re saying is that it’s OK for YOU to be “one-sided” but it’s not OK for the rest of us to be “one-sided.” Am I reading that right? In other words if our opinion doesn’t agree with yours then we must be ignorant.
Gee, where have I heard THAT before.
And yes, within about 20 minutes I knew exactly where this movie was going. Sorry if you weren’t able to figure it out.
Vic
I didnt say it was impossible to know the plot, i wasnt refering to you either, your comments seem intelligent. And where did i say anything about being one sided, I was promoting the usage of two sides of the brain, not one sided thinkers. Point out my one sided views for me, thanks.
i think its name 7 pounds cuz thats how much a human heart weighs?
I watched “7 pounds” and I feel in love with Will all over again, Rosario was wonderful…the entire movie was great, I enjoyed every minute of it. I am not a big fan of movies that sad, or deal with death of sickness. But, with the chemistry that Will and Rasario had; I loved every minute of it. It was Will’s relationship w/all of the people it touched, it seemed as if I was attached to thier emotions. I LOVED IT! Can’t wait to buy it.
If I may put in my 2 cents about the title “7 Pounds”. In the beginning Ben states that God created the world in 7 days, and his life was shattered in 7 seconds. I think that the title relates to the number of seconds, the number of pounding beats of his heart, his pounding pulse, when he realized that he had lost his fiance, and six other people were dead, because of his carlessness. I think 7 pounds relates to time, moving in time; rather than the number of people he touched or the number of good deeds Ben did. If five people would have died, I still think 7 pounds would have been the title. Weight vs. velocity.
thanks for the info vic!after watching the movie, the title is still puzzling me.. now i know..gracias
What a awsome movie. I love all of will smiths things and this one is right over the top. Now to answer your question of what 7 pounds stands for. It is a bibical belief from the bible. For a sin of murder you must pay with 7 pounds of flesh.
I did’nt really think of his death as a suicide in the sense he was so devastated, he could’nt live with himself anymore. But rather, a very well thought out, meticulous plan to save the lives of 7 people. Choosing seven for the seven lives he took.. It was the only way he knew to give back life.. If he could have donated those particular organs without dying, if it were at all possible, do you really think he would have still killed himself AFTER the donation? I don’t! What he did was make a sacrifice-his life for seven. Very selfless and profound!!
I also knew where the movie was going to go within the first half hour or so.
I agree that it was a tad slow moving but throughly enjoyable.
The Merchant of Venice reference came right to mind when I was watching the film. but I do agree with another poster that it may be ties to the beating or pounding of his heart/pulse..interesting..
I had the same question Melinda Johnson did: why would he chose to die by a jellyfish? It kills you with toxins which go into your blood and heart. Wouldn’t that be a problem for organ transplants? I couldn’t stop thinking about that when they were removing and transplanting his heart. But hey, I’m not a doctor.
I also wondered about the title “Seven Pounds”. It seems the Shakespearean reference from Merchant of Venice makes the most sense to me– someone who must repay a debt is said to owe “a pound of flesh”, hence seven “pounds” he gave to the seven strangers to pay for the lives he took. I thought the movie was OK, not spectacular. I just felt like there were a lot of loose ends. Also I felt like some things were meant to be symbols but instead, they just made the story a bit odd. But I think the overall message is very clear and powerful.
reply to karen if you chould whould you donate any organs you to vic?
this movie is good for people who like kind of dramma movies
will smith is a great acter and really deseves
an awward for his movies!
will smith is a great acter and really deserves
an awward for his movies!
just to let you all know i messed up on first mes. so dont tell me about it
on a rate of 1-10 i rate 9 now i want youre votes you to vic
@ jay
The human heart doesn’t weigh 7lbs, 2 at the most unless you have a disease or are a really really really large person. I think that would be total of what all he donated to people through out the movie.
Don’t some of you get that the Seven Pounds is just a Shakespearean Reference of some sort.
Bejeweweled Jesus H Christ!
Y’all betta look up the internet.
It sure isn’t a reference( the title) to the body parts he donated.
XD
WOW, this movie was powerful. A miraculous tragedy.
I saw the movie on Easter, and was profoundly moved by it. To me, suicide is never right, but in this case, it represented a resurrection and redemption. The way he meticulously planned it, filling the bathtub with ice to preserve the organs, making the 911 call to be sure the organs were harvested within 8 hours (otherwise they would be useless) and making sure first that Emily’s chances were extremely slim, was genius. My only concern, however, was for the EMTs who had to pull his body from the bathtub – and that box jellyfish was still in there – which they probably didn’t know – did it pose a danger to them? It seemed like Will Smith’s character thought out every possibility, so how did he deal with that? And wouldn’t the neurotoxins render the organs unusable? Of course, it is a movie and they are allowed poetic license. Wonderful film!
In response to Mary’s questions…
The jellyfish would not pose a threat to the EMT’s, though this could cause a painful activity to extract the body.
The reason it killed Ben (Will Smith) comes from being stung continually many times.
(i.e. a brush once on the arm is only painful;
but being stung also on the chest and legs and … results in traumatic death).
Note this appeared to be be a more common jellyfish, NOT one of the species which kills with one stroke.
My guess about the organs would be that the he died from the trauma and the toxins did not affect the organs. The cold/hypothermic water preserved his organs.
Wonderful film of redemption for the others lives and his own conscience by the purposeful giving of his own.
In Seven pounds. What is 7 pounds. The Heart? All the organs? The Jelly fish? 4-19-09
COmments to some of the above…He had a Bible on his bed that he took out of his suitcase in the hotel room…which seems to explain the 7 pounds naming of the movie (7 sins=7 pounds of flesh) Can someone ref to which book in the Bible this refers to?
Also, in reference to the EMTs and the jellyfish, did you see the note Will wrote by the tub to “Not Touch the Jellyfish.” ?
Excellent movie. Will Smith never fails to deliver!
From what I remember from school the sting induces anaphalatic shock (spelling?) The toxins would cause the skin to react and to further prevent the spread the body would essentially cordoner off the bloodflow to the rest of the body and of couse if like me you have food allergies you know that anaphalactic shock can cause you to stop breathing.
I’ve read some of these comments, laughed at a few, was deeply offended by the pure stupity and insensitivity of others, I’m quite pleased to see that others have been impacted by this film. My wife figured out what was going on first, after the 2nd shot of Ben aka “Tim” in the bathtub with no water. She said “OMG he’s going to donate his organs!” and after that it all fell into place, which made watching it even more painful and profound. This is about a man who is holding himself accountable for 7 seconds of stupidity that cost 7 people their lives, including his love. He didnt just donate organs, he did it without anethsesia. He caused himself as much pain, and gave up as much as he could BEFORE ending his life. Then, to top it off, he used the jellyfish to ensure his exit would be as painful and slow, yet sure as possible, while still allowing his organs to be salvaged and donated without damaging them as say a gun to the head, or poison…hehe I just wanted to say that I had rivers running down my face for the like the last 20 minutes. My heart hurt as I watched this, but it was as beautiful as it was sad, even now 3 days after watching it my eyes are watering up…Thankyou for reading my opinion
Best movie I’ve seen in a while.
My favorite part is the use of the jellyfish. When he’s thinking back to when his father took him to the aquarium, his voiceover says, “I never forgot what [my father] said… That it was the most deadly creature on earth. To me it was just the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.”
This made me cry when I realized its significance at the end. Because Tim ended up using the jellyfish to kill himself, so ultimately for him, it was the most deadly creature on earth. But at the same time, his sacrifice is the most beautiful thing to happen in his life.
Genius.
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