johnlink ranks SEVEN POUNDS (2008)
I heard a lot of negative reviews on this one, but was still hopeful. A lot of the slander being tossed used words like ‘confusing’ and ‘weird.’ I heard some people say that it didn’t make sense, and others say they didn’t get it. Basically, it sounded like a movie for me!
The strange thing I found though, was that SEVEN POUNDS really wasn’t confusing or disjointed. I hate to sound pretentious, but really it just required the viewer to pay attention a little bit. Time does move more in an intuitive way, serving the narrative; but it’s not like it’s bouncing from spot to spot.
The story has to do with a man, played by Will Smith, trying to save people. Why he does this is really the crux of the movie.
I saw SEVEN POUNDS (2008) for the first time on 1.29.09.
NOTE: THIS RANKING UTILIZES THIS SITE’S ORIGINAL SYSTEMIC ARTICLE WRITING METHOD. THE METHOD BY WHICH THE RANKINGS WERE ARRIVED AT, HOWEVER, REMAINS THE SAME.
FILM
The themes are those of sacrifice, trust, and the goodness of ordinary people. It’s also about guilt and pain. The editing serves these themes very well, as do the visuals. SCORE: 8
MOVIE
While not a ‘rollicking good time’, this movie flows nicely. Certainly not something to throw on in the background, but absolutely worthy of repeat viewing. SCORE: 7
ACTING
Will Smith has come along way from Fresh Prince. He plays pain and compassion so well. His emotions are always layered, and he doesn’t take the easy way out. Love it. Also, Rosario Dawson is amazing here. Watch as she has trouble doing even the most routine tasks. Splendidly detailed. Everyone else is forgettable, giving this a lower ranking than the leads would garner themselves. SCORE: 7
WRITING
The treatment of time, as stated earlier, is so effective. I’ve heard some critics suggest that there is no reason to wait for the end to reveal the character’s backstory. I strongly disagree. I think it’s much better for the audience to be in the shoes of the people he is helping. Why does he do what he does? Who is this guy? To reveal that too early would cheat the audience of those necessary questions. SCORE: 8
FINAL TALLY
FILM: 8; MOVIE: 7; ACTING: 7: WRITING: 8
8+7+7+8+0 = 30
FINAL SCORE: 7.5
johnlinkmovies 
It’s not my review, but if it were I’d have given a bonus point for the outstanding film score. I thought the music really added a lot.
I wouldn’t blame you. I thought the music was good, but didn’t strike me quite as much as some scores. There was certainly a nice composition to the sequence in the rain though.