Seven Pounds

December 22, 2008
by
2 mins read

by Rick Grant

Grade: B / Rated PG-13
Although director Gabriel Muccino’s gives away subtle tells throughout the story, the scenario is more than the narrative of an IRS agent who seeks redemption. This leads to a certain amount of viewer confusion as to what motivates IRS Agent Ben Thomas (Will Smith). As the scenario unfolds, viewers begin to put the bits and pieces together.
From a screenplay written by Grant Nieporte, Thomas is investigating IRS cases in which the tax payer owes considerable sums of money. He politely meets with the tax dodgers and tries to work out payments on their debt. In a couple of cases, he puts a freeze on their accounts so they can have some breathing room.
One such case is Emily Posa (Rosario Dawson) who is suffering from heart disease. Thomas seems smitten by Emily and helps her with her tax forms. His interest in her seems obsessive, but she is grateful for his help. As time goes on, Thomas helps a blind man Ezra Turner (Woody Harrelson) to get the IRS off his back. However, viewers sense there is much more to Ben Thomas than just his friendly IRS debt collector persona.
Of course, there is a deeper level to Thomas’ altruistic attitude. Director Muccino gives the audience flashes of a car accident, which plays an important part in Thomas’ life. His brother (Michael Ealy) is trying to track him down for a justifiable reason.
Revealing the tragic reason for Thomas’ actions would give away too much of the story and spoil the film for viewers. But let’s say Thomas has righteous motivations, and he does become personally involved with Emily. This leads to his ultimate sacrifice.
Will Smith portrays Thomas with insightful grasp of his character, who suffers from extreme guilt and sorrow. Yet, he has figured out a way of redemption that involves making a life or death decision to help someone live.
Rosario Dawson plays Emily with a deep understanding of her predicament. Emily is in love with Thomas, but he strangely keeps his distance until during a moment of weakness he makes love to her, which only confuses his feelings. At this time, viewers are wondering what the hell is wrong with Thomas as Muccino feeds the audience tidbits of information that would reveal the deeper level of this story.
Clearly, Thomas needs professional grief counseling. He has chosen a path of self destruction to quell his pain. Will Smith deftly acts out Thomas’ down hill struggle with effective facial nuances. When Thomas falls for Emily, Smith affects this transition with just the right expressions. The viewer can see the light returning to his eyes. Yet, the emotional pain overtakes his soul. Redemption is in sight. But it requires a sacrifice that no one should have to make to achieve it.
This film will appeal to serious film aficionados who are willing to see something different from the mainstream Will Smith again proves he has progressed as an actor to the point that he can take these more interesting roles.

Folio is your guide to entertainment and culture around and near Jacksonville, Florida. We cover events, concerts, restaurants, theatre, sports, art, happenings, and all things about living and visiting Jax. Folio serves more than two million readers across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, including St. Augustine, The Beaches, and Fernandina.

Current Issue

Recent Posts

SUBMIT EVENTS

Submit Events

Advertisements

Welcome to Rockville 2025
SingOutLoadFestival_TheAmp_2025
omaha-steaks-banners

Date

Title

Current Month

Follow FOLIO!

Previous Story

The Jock

Next Story

Slumdog Millionaire

Latest from Movies

Theater, Dance and Film

Through May 4 “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” Theatre Jacksonville theatrejax.com  “How to $ucceed in Business Without Really Trying” Amelia Musical Playhouse, Fernandina Beach ameliamusicalplayhouse.com May 2 “Our Town” St. Francis-in-the-Field, St. Augustine apextheatrejax.com May 2-11 “The Foreigner” Center for Spiritual Healing, St. Augustine aclassictheatre.org May

Monthly Movie Wrap-Up

Words by Wavery Loyd                                                                                             

April Theater, Dance and Film

April 1-6 “Les Miserables” Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts fscjartistseries.org April 3 “A Year With Frog and Toad” Thrasher-Horne Center thcenter.org April 3-11 “Beautiful: The Carole King Story” Alhambra Theatre & Dining alhambrajax.com April 3-13 “Oklahoma!” Artist Connection Theatre artistconnectiontheatre.org April 4 “The Great Gatsby:

Cartoons Are For Kids

Animation is cool Words by Waverly Loyd I asked someone their favorite animated movie, and they said, “I’m an adult. I don’t watch kid’s movies.” And I thought, “Wow, you must be so fun to be around.” (derogatory) Apart from the fact that watching animated movies is good for

Good Girls Go to Heaven, Groupies Go Backstage

The Rise and Fall of Groupies Words by Ambar Ramirez The show begins like any other. Overhead lights dim, stage lights flare and the crowd roars. Backstage, a woman adjusts her smudged eyeliner and pulls her fur-lined coat tight as she watches the band take the stage. She’s not
July 5th Cleanup
GoUp

Don't Miss

The Avett Brothers

November 15 The Avett Brothers St. Augustine Amphitheatre (904) 471-1965

Paula Poundstone

Paula Poundstone “Twitter is the postcards in my head.” It’s