Seven Pounds (2008, Gabriele Muccino)
Can "Good Deeds" Make Up for Past Mistakes?
Rating: 3/4 stars, 73/100, 7/10
(Minor spoilers in the review)
Calling to mind 21 Grams and I Am Legend (and being directed by The Pursuit of Happyness' Gabriele Muccino), this movie is pretty good, but never does it break as much ground as Memento or Pulp Fiction. Overall, pretty good performances by Woody Harrelson, Will Smith, and Rosario Dawson.
Even though Rosario Dawson is very good in this and everything she's done post Josie and the Pussycats, there is a personal gripe I have with the scene where she proclaims Charles Aznavour's "Formidable" is her favorite song. She knows the English words, but hums during French part of the song. That famous song is actually one of my favorites. However, I was thrown out of the movie for a second when the character didn't know the words to her own favorite song. I think this is primarily director Gabriele Muccino's fault. He should have spent the extra time with Rosario in order to have her be able to sing two whole lines.
There are a few "how is that possible" moments in the script which could easily be justified by the screenwriter, such as how did he meet the people he's trying to help or regarding the complication due to the jellyfish infecting its victim.
I would say that the movie is entertaining and that if you can ignore some of these perceived flaws, it would be a great movie to see for the holiday season. The ending is sort of bittersweet and the film itself is not for those who can't handle a non-linear story at all. It's the kind of movie you have to just go with until things start making sense.
Can "Good Deeds" Make Up for Past Mistakes?
Rating: 3/4 stars, 73/100, 7/10
(Minor spoilers in the review)
Calling to mind 21 Grams and I Am Legend (and being directed by The Pursuit of Happyness' Gabriele Muccino), this movie is pretty good, but never does it break as much ground as Memento or Pulp Fiction. Overall, pretty good performances by Woody Harrelson, Will Smith, and Rosario Dawson.
Even though Rosario Dawson is very good in this and everything she's done post Josie and the Pussycats, there is a personal gripe I have with the scene where she proclaims Charles Aznavour's "Formidable" is her favorite song. She knows the English words, but hums during French part of the song. That famous song is actually one of my favorites. However, I was thrown out of the movie for a second when the character didn't know the words to her own favorite song. I think this is primarily director Gabriele Muccino's fault. He should have spent the extra time with Rosario in order to have her be able to sing two whole lines.
There are a few "how is that possible" moments in the script which could easily be justified by the screenwriter, such as how did he meet the people he's trying to help or regarding the complication due to the jellyfish infecting its victim.
I would say that the movie is entertaining and that if you can ignore some of these perceived flaws, it would be a great movie to see for the holiday season. The ending is sort of bittersweet and the film itself is not for those who can't handle a non-linear story at all. It's the kind of movie you have to just go with until things start making sense.
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