Movies and Messages “Seven Pounds”
Will Smith is a great actor and for the most part, I love his movies. Having an opportunity to rent “Seven Pounds” ($1 at Red Box … don’t you love that?) and watch it alone (previewing to determine suitability for children) I have very mixed emotions. Since I had read a few reviews beforehand, I knew the movie was not well received by Hollywood types. Now that I’ve seen the movie, that surprises me. I would think that a movie like this would have been very appealing to most people.
It’s hard to review the movie without spoiling the plot and, when watching the movie, it takes a while to figure out exactly what is going on, so I’ll have to be slightly cryptic with my remarks. I’ll say right up front that I like a movie with some mystery and although I enjoy figuring out what’s going on before facts are revealed, I didn’t totally understand this movie until the end of the movie.
In the movie the main character, Will, has suffered because of something he did. It was an accident, but this accident could/should have been avoided and the results are devastating. In order to make up for the damages (or to live with himself), he attempts to help other people. Seven people were hurt because of his actions so he’s going to help seven people. The title, “Seven Pounds” refers to pounds of flesh … or seven people. The choices he makes are helpful to many, but hurtful to some. Although the viewer is pulled into Will Smith’s quest to change lives for the better, the realization that he is hurting himself and others is unsettling. The number seven comes up in the movie several times, including a quote at the beginning that goes something like this, “The Lord made the world in seven days. I ruined mine in seven seconds.” (When I heard this my immediate thought was … God didn’t make the world in seven days, it was six days and then he rested, but it’s a common misconception to say God made the world in 7 days.)
Will my children be allowed to watch this movie? Not the younger ones and not without me fast forwarding through at least one scene. The movie contains a little language and one bedroom scene (although nothing indecent is shown, you know what’s going on and during this scene you are wondering if Will’s lust isn’t overpowering his altruism because his actions certainly must be endangering this woman.). The movie addresses several heavy topics (abuse, dishonesty, virginity, etc.).
Basically the message is about as secular humanistic as possible. You decide what’s right. Use any means possible to achieve your goals. Do good (your interpretation of good) to others. Sacrifice (on your terms) for mankind. Make the bigger picture the higher goal (even if others are hurt along the way).
Will Smith does a great job portraying his character, and when he’s kissing the gal I wonder what his wife thinks as she watches that scene. (Makes me appreciate Kirk Cameron’s desire not to kiss another woman, even in a movie.) Some reviews look at this movie and see redemption and self-lessness. Others see total selfishness.
Is it worth watching? I think so. If you watch this movie with older children, or with friends, there are definitely topics to discuss afterwards — moral relativity being at the top of the list. Are there biblical principles involved? Absolutely — reaping what you sow, honesty, fate, suicide, etc. Ideas have consequences and this movie definitely shows the direct link to an idea and its consequence. It also shows the foolishness of using a cell phone while driving (never can over-emphasize that for the teens).
If you sign up for Red Box you often receive a code for a free rental (and they encourage you to share the code with others).
Have you seen the movie? What did you think?
