Seven Pounds (2008)

Seven Pounds (2008) is the latest collaboration between Will Smith and Gabriele Muccino, in which Ben Thomas (Smith) is on a mission to change the lives 7 people. Why? Naturally, because he is responsible for killing 7 people, and trust me when I tell you I'm not spoiling anything; you can figure that out right away. In order to redeem himself, Ben sets out to find 7 worthy human beings who deserve renewal and rebirth. Who determines worthiness? Why, Ben; yes, the man who's trying to make up for his moral failures. How are they reborn? Well, I won't give it all away, but it doesn't take long to figure it out. Also, jellyfish are deadly.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) had a certain restraint that is definitely missing here. Philippe Le Sourd does the cinematography, and perhaps that is the difference. Visual sentiments are often sloppy and overbearing. Sitting in a field of waving wheat means love. Candles in the rain means everlasting. Beyond that though, I think the story was just fundamentally flawed. It becomes clear that the dreamy sequences and mysterious plot are merely covering up the fact that there's no real truth at the center of the film. Once all is revealed and disclosed, the whole thing just seems kind of absurd. And you know, kind of full of itself. What is the point of this really: self-sacrifice, or martyrdom?

That said, Rosario Dawson is beautiful, even when she's dying. Very Bette Davis of her.