Being a cradle-Catholic, i.e., one who was raised in a strict Irish Roman Catholic tradition, and a product of Catholic schools, I can relate to guilt exceptionally well. Too, being an anthropologist specializing in myth and folklore, I can appreciate the mythic underpinnings of this rather disconnected tale, told in flashbacks sprinkled with tidbits of hints as to what is going on. So, without dipping into sermonizing or moralizing on the good or bad of self-sacrifice in the face of one having to redeem oneself, which concept I personally rationally reject, I can state that as a mythic premise for a story, this film works for the most part. Will Smith is a fine actor who refuses to steep himself in typecast roles and seems willing to try anything from being a cop, to a superhero. Rosario Dawson adds flavor as the feminine interest, as do Woody Harrelson and Barry Pepper, both excellent actors. The plot proceeds a little jerky at time with the bits of flashback to give the plot away and at times, the film moves rather slowly. However, the overall effect is favorable and most of the people in the theater seemed to leave emotionally touched by the dramatic ending, embracing the theme of redemption.
Review of Seven Pounds
