Similar to Watching a Loved One's Body Shutting Down

    "Seven Pounds" was an unparalleled gut-wrenching experience. The dying process usually begins with the kidneys, and if they cannot be stabilized, it ends with the heart failing. Not unlike the dying process, Ben Thomas' emotional well being is shutting down, and the only way he can resurrect it is to surrender to the penance, that he believes he owes humanity.

    Ben Thomas' story is interwoven into the lives of others within his circle of a few close friends, and also within the community at large; which constitutes the dilemma of how he can, in some intractable manner, make restitution through his customized, personalized system of penance. Will Smith portrays the lead character, Ben Thomas, in this complex tale, written by Grant Nieporte, of hope springing forth from his deep well of sadness. Actor Smith transforms his trademark charismatic actor's face effortlessly to one of complete, abject misery, as if he is a bipolar mess of a human being, until you understand: Ben Thomas is maintaining because he has a purpose.

    And, therein lies the theme of "Seven Pounds:" how Ben Thomas found the strength to pursue the perfect penance for his self-perceived crime against his community. Now I shall refrain from further discussion regarding this element in the gist of this misty-eyed tale, lest I reveal too much; however, I must report for those of you who enjoy stories built upon the building blocks of real human emotions, you will be trasfixed by the story.

    Just like life, this story is complex, yet the film does not move so fast or the tale so convoluted, that the audience is lost in the many twists and turns, supplied by the plethora of flashbacks that will ultimately supply the clues to keep us riding this tale to the conclusion of a very bizarre, and somehow believable, story directed by Gabriele Muccino, who earlier had teamed up with Will Smith to direct "The Pursuit of Happyness."

    Will Smith is not only the star of this film, but pulls duty in nearly every scene. Serving as his little while love interest is Rosario Dawson as Emily Posa. Barry Pepper as Ben's childhood friend, now grown up lawyer named Dan, and Woody Harrelson, as the blind, customer service representative Ezra Turner, are steady in their small, but important roles.

    If you are a natural born cynic, you may not find the sentiment genuine, but I assure everyone; for some folks, the story is a real testament to the dilemmas of life and death that follows each of us to the point of our own discovery. Just like watching a loved one's body shutting of its spark of life, Ben Thomas slowly turns of his light. Director Muccino uses Grant Nieporte's sentimental tale to explore how one can open up their heart at that point of discovery.

    123 minutes of runtime.

    Rated PG13. Released on DVD March 31, 2009.