Reviews
Anyone who’s even written a film before will tell you, that one of the hardest parts involved, is also one of the smallest. Anyone can write a film, but it takes a special skill to become truly adept at creating a worthy title. It must be short, snappy, and intriguing. It must give enough of the plot to market the film, but at the same time, not give too much away. It must entice and advertise, but only a subtle, classy way. All of this in only a few words. It took me about 6 months to write my debut feature length screenplay, but having started when I was 16, the title is still an ongoing project
This is an issue I imagine the makers of Seven Pounds were still discussing at the time of release. ‘Why was it called that?’ I can see people staggering from the movie theatre asking each other.
In the film, Will Smith is a kind, unbelievably generous and caring man, who seems hell bent on helping people, and nothing else. These people normally cannot be trusted. ‘What’s his ulterior motive?’ One would ask. ‘Why’s he being so nice?’ As if generosity is some form of wasting disease he’s trying to pass on. Strangely, no one in the film comes to this conclusion, or even suggestion.
Sadly I can’t really say anything else about the plot. There isn’t really a twist as such, it’s just a slowly opening door. There’s only one door, and once it’s opened, that’s it. You’re in another room, another room with no doors, in which you wait for half an hour until the credits roll.
This doesn’t make it a bad film. If you like hits, twists, turns, and blind alleys in the script, then it doesn’t have them. It cannot be described as a thrill ride. But it’s a nice enough way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Seven Pounds has already been released in cinemas. If you went to see it when it came out, and you liked it, then good for you. If you didn’t like it, then I’m not surprised. If you haven’t seen it however, I can recommend it as a pleasant, nice looking, well acted film. Worthy of a rental.
LMU Quiz: If anyone can reveal to me what the title has to do with the film, without looking it up in anyway, I will be impressed.
Seven Pounds - Brought to you by James Wormald -