  
Seven Poundsa.k.a. “Sieben Leben”MPAA Rating:
 for thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality.Reviewed by: Mia J. Best Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Adults
Genre:
Drama
Length:
2 hr. 3 min.
Year of Release:
2008
USA Release:
December 19, 2008 (wide—2,600 theaters)
DVD: March 31, 2009  
Relevant Issues
Suicide
Suicide, what does the Bible say? Answer If a Christian commits suicide, will they go to Heaven? Answer Forgiveness
How can I be and feel forgiven? Answer If God forgives me every time I ask, why do I still feel so guilty? Answer Pain and suffering
Where did cancer come from? Answer Why does God allow innocent people to suffer? Answer What about the issue of suffering? Doesn't this prove that there is no God and that we are on our own? Answer Does God feel our pain? Answer The Origin of bad—How did bad things come about? Answer What kind of world would you create? Answer
“Seven Names. Seven Strangers. One Secret.” Initially, I recommended this movie for adult audiences for its movie making quality and ability to draw the viewer in emotionally to the characters. But after pondering on it and some thought-provoking conversations, I cannot recommend this movie at all. Because the entire thrust of the movie gives nobility to a faithless, selfish and reprehensible act. “Seven Pounds,” starring Will Smith as IRS agent Ben Thomas, takes viewers on a mysterious and emotional journey, without revealing where it’s heading until the very end of the movie. But it doesn’t take long to surmise that when Ben makes a house call on “official” IRS business that there is much more to his visit than taxes. The audience eventually learns that Ben becomes a benefactor to strangers in need, giving sacrificially to save their lives. The plot is revealed slowly, allowing the viewer to become fascinated by the characters and their lives. As the story unfolds, it comes into focus that Ben has some sort of master plan in the midst of his charitable work—a personal agenda involving him, as well as those he has chosen to help. When one character asks Ben, “Why me?” Ben responds, “Because you’re a good person… even when you think no one is looking.” An unexpected glitch in Ben’s plan is a blossoming romance with one of his beneficiaries, Emily Posa, played by Rosario Dawson. Dawson gives a beautiful performance full of light and shade of a vibrant woman whose life is held captive by a critical medical condition. The romantic tension between Emily and Ben is given time to build, so when they finally do kiss, it is more meaningful. And by Hollywood standards, the love scene between Emily and Ben was modest, showing partial nudity (less than what you would see on a hot day in the park). What made the moment seem tender was the direction to gradually zoom out from inside the bedroom to the window outside with the view obscured by rain hitting the windowpane. It added a bit of visual poetry. Despite all the good that Ben does, it is apparent that he is himself most miserable, haunted by a tragedy in his past. So, all his generosity, at its core, comes from a troubled and guilt-ridden conscience. It is his prescription for redemption. Reader, beware of plot ***spoilers*** below. I struggled with how to address the morality issues in the movie without spoiling the plot that the writer and director took such pains to keep a mystery until the end, but feel that they are too important to not address. I did, however, enjoy the journey of discovering the full plot as the movie unfolded, but had serious moral issues once the ending was revealed. Ben gives the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of others, by laying down his life. The willingness to do that is a noble act that can draw comparisons to Jesus Christ. Jesus himself said, “No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends” John 15:13 (AMP). But the method by which Ben chose to do that was to commit suicide. There is a difference between laying down your life and taking your life by your own hands. Another important difference between Ben’s sacrifice and Jesus’ is that Ben was driven by the guilt of a tragic mistake in his past, where Jesus was motivated by love. John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that He gave Jesus. And Jesus said in John 10:17-18 (NKJV), “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” And while Ben selected people in need that he determined were “good people,” in Romans 5:10 it tells us that God loved us and reconciled us when we were His enemies. So, while Ben’s actions of helping others in need are very Biblical, choosing to take his own life is not. This is why I must caution viewers about this movie. While it doesn’t glamorize suicide, it pulls on all the emotional cords to make Ben’s final act of giving seem noble and selfless. The truth is that suicide is the most selfish act there is. It is an act that says, I give up; I can’t possibly believe or hope that anything better is going to happen in my life. It is the ultimate faithless act and denotes a lack of trust in God. According to the Bible, all things are possible, if you can believe, and all things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26; Mark 9:23). So again, despite some excellent performances, I cannot recommend this movie due to the serious moral issue of suicide. Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Mild / Sex/Nudity: Minor  See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.   Comments below:
Positive
Positive - If nothing else, this movie gets people to think and hopefully discuss what they really believe. I didn't think the movie was ALL good or ALL bad. It was complex… like life… like the world. Will's character was fallen; humans are fallen. Life is messy and painful and confusing. Positive - I was pleased with this movie. It is refreshing to see that there are still writers out in the world that have a sense of decency and would make a movie where someone would try to do something so nice for so many people. In the real world today there are so many suicidal people in the world that go out and kill people and then take their own lives. It is a senseless thing to do either way. But for goodness sakes this is just a movie it is not glorifying suicide it is a fictional tale that tells a story of how one man tried to help others when he had the chance. I personally don't even believe in the act he was doing when he was doing good things it doesn't mean because I saw this movie I'm gonna go against my beliefs and sign the back of my drivers license. To me, it is just a really heartfelt movie that makes you wish there were more people that cared about others in this world. Positive - (Faith: Catholic) First, if you feel it is okay to judge (even though I was taught that the Bible says “judge not lest ye be judged”), I must do the same to make a point, so it is not so much judging as debating (I have spoken to my priest about this, and he said that this was okay as I am simply asserting my beliefs, both religious and professional). Positive - I think this movie was pretty well done. It was a very complex story that you really had to sit down and pay attention to carefully. There wasn't much that was too offensive except for one sexual scene and the idea of suicide being tossed around. The whole movie wasn't centered around the main character (Will Smith) trying to commit suicide. Rather… it was his acts of kindness. Positive - The comments posted here show clearly how great this movie is. Let us first get clear what this movie is not. It is not a sermon. It is not promoting suicide. Realizing this, I think, could help many to more acutely evaluate the issues. First of all, the director and writer masterfully weaved a story that forced the audience to participate intellectually and emotionally in the unfolding of the plot. [This, alone, can get many out of their comfort zone, as most of Hollywood is simply dictated entertainment (those disappointed probably were a bit miffed about picking the “wrong” side a bit too early in the movie). I applaud this technique, as it opens up questions as to how we, as the audience, can easily pass through a movie or tv show, swallowing all premises that come our way to allow for a logical ending.] Tangent aside, even once the ultimate plot is exposed, enough suspense and mystery is woven in to make every moment of the story intrigue. Positive - Although I saw the main character as extremely depressed, I think his motive changed from giving his life as suicidal and depressed to giving his live as a loving action. I wonder, for those who provide security for our president and are willing to “take the bullet for him”—is this suicide also? It is not ours to judge, but a very thought-provoking film. Positive - Indeed, this movie Positively depicts today's society and way of thinking! The movie was flawless in that it mirrored what many find acceptable in today's world and find worthy of glorification... It confirms exactly what the bible says our world looks like today and what people will do at all costs to perpetuate an agenda Not Authorized by our Creator. Neutral
Neutral - I recently viewed this film and have to say that it was a tear-jerker. I walked out of the cinema crying. While I loved the main character's selflessness and generosity, as seen earlier on in the movie, I in no way can condone his suicide, even if it was to benefit others. Only God Almighty has the right to take away life. Life is a gift and should be valued. I am all for doing good onto others. Christians should heed the command to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31 NIV). But even more importantly heed the greatest command “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30 NIV). Neutral - …I have just finished watching “Seven Pounds”—had no expectations—never knew anything about the movie, actors or story. So, therefore, we watched and listened to this movie with fresh eyes and ears. I thought it was a beautiful story that made you think about your life in this world, about people, about relationships with those who you know, who are in need. I did not expect a christian ending, as the writer and crew I don't think were of Christian faith. Positive - The writing: BRILLANT. The acting: BRILLIANT. Now where it gets murking... Neutral -Alright, first off, I agree wholehearteldy. This movie is not for anyone struggling with depression. Let me stress that. And I don't think it's for teens even. Neutral - …I thought this movie, generally, was one of the best movies I have seen in a while. I was trying to figure out the plot the entire time, up until Ben's suicide. The movie evoke several emotions and I enjoyed the experience. Throughout the movie I recognized the pain and misery he was in. I also recognized the love he felt and shared with Emily. He did want to live, but after Ben and Emily talked about “what if's” and his almost immediate visit to see her doctor afterwards only to recieve a fatal response; he commited to her by his death. I struggled with his decision in the end. As a follower of Jesus I questioned how he had taken his life and if it was justifible because of the circumstances. I realize that it's not for, ultimately, his act was selfish. Though he loved her he never told her the truth. He should have told her about his motives when they met and after they fell in love. I'm sure if he would have told her about his intentions in killing himself to give her a heart she would have disagreed with it despite how loving it may have seemed. He was also selfish in that he had no consideration as to how she would feel about his afore mentioned intentions; his mind was already made up. Negative
Negative - This movie absolutely glamorized suicide and promoted people taking their lives into their own hands, rather then trusting them to God. The main character was promoted as a loving, handsome, strong, amazing man who did something completely wonderful by killing himself for others. The act of suicide itself was shown as a way to end pain, to end a life that the person felt was worthless, and to help others. It was shown as a way to find redemption from the wrong a person has done. I have struggled with the issue of suicide in my own life, and I have counseled others who have struggled with this issue, and I felt this movie could easily push someone over the edge, if they were struggling with this issue. Due to the ever increasing suicide rate in this country, I would not only advise people to not see or promote this movie, I would advise people to also take a stand against this movie and others that glamorize and promote suicide. Negative - After watching this movie, I was very disappointed. The movie made suicide look like something good or heroic, but it's not. My biggest reservation with this movie is that there are some that will try and say that Ben Thomas acted out of love, when, in fact, he acted out of fear and guilt, which are not in any way associated with love. I was expecting an uplifting movie and left the theater bewildered at what I had seen. I'm a big fan of Will Smith, but this is one movie I will not be buying or ever watching again. Negative - Disgustingly twisted and sick way of making suicide look heroic. ANY Born-Again believer should be horrified by this film. Well acted and well made-but morally evil. Negative - Come on Will Smith! I'm normally a liberal when it comes to movies (and a huge Smith fan), but this is ridiculous! Promoting Suicide?! Seriously???? I'm so ticked off by this mere concept! So what you're saying is, it's noble to commit suicide if you're helping other people?! I see the redemptive “thought” they were trying to convey, but it's a twisted viewpoint. Negative - The movie “Seven Pounds” was disturbing and disappointing to me. It portrays someone still fighting for control of their life out of guilt, when they once had everything living the life, until a tragedy hit. Are these good deeds, when you choose to impersonate a IRS federal agent (stealing his brother's identity for your own agenda), misuse of a friendship (asking a childhood friend to carrying out his suicide death wish), and that suicide is the answer to redeem himself from the guilt by donating seven items from his body in his suicide request? To me, there is no parallel to Christ's redemptiveness for mankind in this movie. Negative - I'll get to the point; I was disappointed in this movie. I expected an uplifting movie about a guy who tries to help others in need. Instead, I got a deeply depressing movie about a guy who tries to salve his conscience by parting out his body parts and his property! Suicide is never the answer! I found the few profanities that were sprinkled in unnecessary, as well. Negative - I just returned home from watching “Seven Pounds” on Christmas evening. I don't recommend this movie for anyone. The message that I took away from this movie is that if your life is not so good, and you don't see any way that it is going to get better, then go ahead and kill yourself, donate your possessions and usable body parts to good deserving people, and your suicide will be justified. I think this sends a terrible message to an already struggling world. Negative - I found this movie to be very offensive, in that I believe it appeared to make suicide an honorable, self-sacrificing act. It is just the opposite, no matter how they try to portray it in this movie. That whole bathtub scene is so very disturbing and one that nobody needs to view. It completely overshadows any of the good in the movie. There are some that say that this movie is not about his suicide, but from the very beginning in his phone conversation, that is the focus and goal of the movie. I can't imagine how anyone could come away from this movie not feeling disturbed. The ending where the two recipients meet is so bizarre. If they had received his heart and eyes due to his death caused by an accident or something beyond his control, it would have been different. It's a twisted story. Too bad he didn't have the courage to live and channel his grief and pain toward acts of sacrifice. He still could have given away his possessions and even parts of his body without ending his life. Negative - This is the most depressing movie I have seen in years. It's another of Hollywood's culture of death movies, along the lines of “Leaving Las Vegas” and “Million Dollar Baby.” A guy does something he feels guilty about and decides to do penance for it by donating his bodily organs (one lung, half his liver, bone marrow, eyes) and ultimately his life, when a dying woman needs a heart. It's message is the opposite of a movie like “It's A Wonderful Life,” which was inspiring because it told of how a man's life enriched the lives of others. On the other hand, this horrible movie suggests that killing yourself might enrich the lives of others. I saw where it was going halfway through and would have walked out had it not been for my two friends who had paid for my ticket and were there with me. I rated it morally “very offensive” for the fornication, as well as for its promotion of suicide. Don't see it. It's two hours of your life that you'll wish you had back. Negative - …I feel like I am preaching to the choir, but perhaps someone will spread the message, or I say the true message about this film. I can only hope and pray. So I sound like I know a little bit about the depth of this film, allow me to back up, and tell you about me first. I myself, in the last 10 years have suffered the loss of both my parents and a man who would have been my father-in-law, but he past away right before I married his daughter. However, I have been happily married for a year and a half now. Thanks. My point, I, with the help of Jesus Christ, have come to understand loss, gain, pain, happiness, how precious life is, and certainly unselfishness. And I have read and heard a lot of views on this movie, almost all good reviews and all commenting on Will's performance and how deep the movie is. The movie was shot well, and I agree that Mr. Smith gave an excellent performance, as far as acting. But I am afraid it was too deep for people to see the underlining message that jumped out at me and was also appalling to me in at the same time. If you strip back the layers, you will see, too, that this film glorifies suicide and not in a way that someone may think is honorable. For example, in life a soldier in the heat of battle may take a bullet for a friend, to save the friend, or, another example, (as I am sure plenty are aware here) how Christ died on the cross for our sins. Ben-Will's character is not Jesus and certainly did not sacrifice his life in an honorable way or unselfishly. Negative - I watched this movie last night with my 16 year old daughter. It was a very entertaining and thoughtful movie, as long as you did not have a Christian worldview. I was very sad after watching it. Will Smith's character plays a very sad, yet noble man. My daughter cried during the movie. I did not. I could have, because it was very tender and well done, yet because of my worldview centered in the Father's will for His people, I could not cry. Negative - Suicide is not a valid means to help others! Unfortunately, the reviewer's “Average” rating and lack of disclosure about glamorizing suicide led me to see this totally unbiblical movie! I didn't know whether to sleep, cry, or walk out. My wife took the walk after 30 min. She was followed by at least 5 others. I stayed due to morbid curiosity. Negative - We were not impressed by this movie at all. The intention behind the story was good—to be a person and wanted to help others, because he felt he did something wrong at one time in his life. However, the fact of planning to give parts of his body and through an act of suicide (clearly showed in the movie for about 5 to 10 mins.) was too much for us, and this to be done at the end of the movie. The end is what stays the most in your mind; we did not like that part at all. The story could have been the same, if he would have had an accident …or something else? I know I'm not a writer, but this is why we did not like this movie. Also, it was very slow to go into what was happening; it took us probably 25 min. to figure out what was going on. Negative - I bought the DVD because I though from what I saw of comments on it that it would be a good movie along the lines of “The Pursuit of Happyness.” The plot was rather annoying having to jump between scenes trying to figure out what was going on. As an adult I was able to handle the movie, I plan on getting rid of it by selling it because I can't give it away because I have moral objections to it. The thing that disturbed me the most after watching the movie was that it was only rated PG-13. In our society there are so many young people that are on the bridge of suicide and to me this movie says that if your life is horrible and you can't see any way out of it that if you become an organ donor than it's okay to kill yourself, and this completely opposite of what the Bible teaches. I would have felt a little better about the movie had it been rated R because then young people would have a harder time seeing it as well as it would mean that there is mature content that is not suitable for younger viewers. Young minds and for that matter teenage minds are easily impressionable, and this does not exclude christian teens either. There are at least three teens at my church that were delivered from suicidal thoughts a few months back and they don't need to see a movie like this, let alone all the teens we don't know about that have these kinds of thoughts. My prayer is that parents will read reviews on this movie and not let their kids watch it, or at least be prepared to explain how it was wrong and that suicide is not the way out that you need to seek help to overcome the issues, and make sure they understand that. Negative - Warning: People that want this movie to remain a mystery then you probably do not want to read my review. My whole review is a spoiler because it is essential for you to know the ending as well as the middle to understand if this movie is appropriate for your viewing. I'm going to cut right to the chase and tell you my opinion and observations about this film. Negative - I agree with most of the negative comments. Interesting twisted plot, some redeeming qualities, but overall, I don't believe this is healthy for our world right now. I know some nominally Christian people who took the whole plot hook, line, and sinker and said yes, that was a sad, but nice, thing to do. I think we can all agree on the point that suicide is wrong (except a couple US states, some European countries, maybe more of which I am unaware). And Will's character was obviously mentally disturbed and felt that he couldn't live with himself after what he did through negligence. Comments from young people
Neutral - I went and saw this movie for my birthday; I am a huge Will Smith fan and was expecting a great movie and an amazing dramatic performance from Smith. That is, in a sense, what you get, however, this movie is very controversial with what the Bible says about suicide. I wrestled with this after I got out of the theater, I was wanting to justify what Ben Thomas did by giving his life for Emily, but it is not in our authority to take God's place. In my opinion, he was a “good” man, but he could have done so much more to benefit others alive than dead. Overall, this was a good movie, however, very depressing; you leave the theater in shock, and trying to figure things out in your head. Positive - This is one of the best movies that I have seen. It is a tear- jerker and a very sweet story. Very moving. As far as the morality of the film, there was a little profanity, and some very minor sexual content. Overall, a great movie! Non-viewer comments
Just a comment, there is a difference to someone in war, terrorism perhaps to save others by throwing themselves on a grenade knowing that others around them may all die, not much choice there, one or all. one dies that others may live, as Christ did for us, in seven pounds, if this person had faith, he had a choice to live, live his life in service of others, benefiting many more people and showing what could be done in a faith driven life. I have not seen this movie, only the trailer, which says: “God made the world in seven days” …has everyone forgotten He made it in six, He rested on the seventh! That in itself is enough for me not to watch it. I have not seen this movie, but I have noticed much controversy over the suicide issue. As someone who struggles with the temptation of suicide, I know that although this movie is fiction, it is extremely damaging to anyone who already is hopeless about life! It doesn't matter if it is a tearjerker or not! This movie has the potential to send people over the edge. Just watching the preview and reading secular reviews made me so tempted, that I had to be prayed over. Although this movie is meant to be helpful and touching, it is ultimately deadly. Positive - I honestly don't see how the movie 'glorifies' suicide. First off, it's a movie. The idea behind the movie was incredibly original and dramatic. If you are depressed, I'm sorry if I offend you, but this sort of movie would be one that I would hope you wouldn't consider if you believe you would be negatively impacted by it. In the beginning of the movie, the main character states that “In seven days God created the world and in seven days, I destroyed mine.” This obviously denotes that this man was not on the right track, and the movie does not encourage suicide. I very much enjoyed the movie, and while the characters decision at the end was sad, the people he effected made you smile. |
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