Worth more than seven pounds (Seven Pounds (DVD))

Member Name: doncasteryb

Product:	Seven Pounds (DVD)
Date:	11/06/09 (30 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Storyline kept you guessing, till the very end

Disadvantages: Technical information on jellyfish

Directed by Gabriele Muccino (The Pursuit of Happyness, also starring Will Smith), this movie got me straight from the trailer. Will Smith's versatile acting is simply outstanding and I definitely rate him as one of the greatest actors out there. The film was released in 2008 and is based on a script by Grant Nieporte. The initial idea came to Nieporte when he got chatting to a man who he described as "the saddest person i ever met in my life". There was speculation about who this person might actually be, but there is nothing set in concrete.

Seven Names. Seven Strangers. One Secret. The tagline, in itself is enticing, and draws the viewer in.

The movie opens with Thomas in a clearly distressed state, calling for an ambulance for his impending suicide. Throughout the move we are left asking questions - what did Thomas take from his brother, Ben's home?.... Slowly, the story unfolds.

Thomas takes on his brother's identity, as a way to get close to people (as an IRS agent) who he feels are in the greatest need for a priceless gift - one to enhance their health and give a greater quality of life. The drama follows Tim Thomas (Smith) who takes on his brother's IRS identity as Ben Thomas.

He and his fiancée are travelling back from a night out, when he answers a text, whilst driving, which results in a car accident. This accident culminates in the death's of seven individuals.

Rosario Dawson (Eagle Eye) plays the role of Emily Posa, a sufferer of congenital heart failure, who plays a pivotal role in the movie as Thomas' unexpected love interest. Thomas' reluctance to get close to her is evident as he feels he does not deserve to experience happiness, considering the devastating impact he had on the lives of 6 strangers (the seventh being his fiancée). The one thing Thomas does not expect to find on this journey, is love.His self loating does not allow for him to let himself go and experience happiness again. To atone for his sins he donates organs to those he deems deserve to be helped.

Far removed from his usual roles, Woody Harelson plays the role of a "blind, beef salesman, who does not eat pork".

Box Jellyfish played a crucial role in the movie - potentially fatal to humans has up to as many as 15 tentacles on each corner which can be 3 metres in length that Thomas first sees with his dad, astound him wih their beauty. (Technically, there are some issues as to the use of this particular method of suicide, especially since Thomas' intention ws to donate his heart - as it is known that box jellyfish contain toxins that attack the heart, nervous system, defeating the object of a transplant). This is the invertebrate Thomas chooses as his mode of suicide, using ice to preserve his body for transplants.

The movie ends on an uplifting note whereby we are shown the impact of Thomas' actions and how they fundamentally changed people's lives for the better.

Definetly one to buy and add to your collection! Available at Play.com for £12.99, minus the delivery charge.

Summary: Another brilliant movie starring the versatile Will Smith