Quotes of the Week -- 'Seven Pounds'

I just wanted to add to this article seeing as I just finished watching the movie. In my opinion this movie shows the dynamics of being human. First carelessness, then tragedy, guilt, followed by understanding, and finished with closure. The storyline may not agree with your morals on how a movie should play out -- but in these times I think it's what people need to see. How even though you might mistakenly do one wrong thing, it can be fixed even with small acts. I don't recommend taking it to the extent as Ben the main character did, but again, this is a movie that is trying to sell itself. May I say, it did a very fine job at that! I recommend bringing along some tissues if you plan to see the film.

will smiths actions were heroic. If you killed one person in something you didn't mean to do I don't know how you could live with yourself. I know that in Ohio there is a 5 year penalty for every count of vehicular manslaughter. Smith killed his wife who he loved. Should someone by punished for that? Lickily will wasn't. I don't know how you can say that killing himself at the end makes it a bad movie. I personally could not live with myself after killing 6 strangers and the person I love the most. This movie inspired me to be a better person before it is too late I to anything about it because it shouldn't take murder to do good things.

I thought the movie was one of the best movies I've ever seen. I love the comments on here because they are so right. this movie is all about the dynamics of being human. suicide is a little far, but people deal with things differently and you could see that he was suffering a great deal. Just because he ends up killing himself in the end, people are condemning this movie? thats ridiculous. The movie was great, it made the audience feel what was going on rather then sit back as the spectator and its easy for the audience to relate because honestly, who hasnt gone through moments of grief, guilt, tragedy, or understanding. I loved this movie. Its one of my top favorites. That someone would say, "among the most transcendently, eye-poppingly, call-your-friend-ranting-in-the-middle-of-the-night-just-to-go-over-it-one-more-time crazily awful motion pictures ever made." is soo wrong. So opposite. This movie is inspiring for americans to get off their lazy ass's and go make a difference. Its life changing. Its a movie that people can call their friend ranting in the middle of the night just to go over it one more time amazing story line. Simply I loved it.

Hi, I'm just a 16 years old and I see this movie with my 16 years old eyes not really full of life experiences, but I can tell that after that I've seen this movie, I felt happy for him, I seriously felt happy for him, because he killed those people even if he didn't want to, but he killed them anyway, and he lived with this for a long time, and he decided to help people, and he helped who seriously needed it and at the end after he killed his wife, he killed himself to give his hearth to the girl he loved, and I can't understand why you are saying that that's wrong because is the most difficult and heroic decision that anybody can do. And I have a question about what Nell wrote:
"I do not believe that suicide is ever an heroic or morally valid decision. Almost all of the world's religions would tell him that he can only expiate his sin by remorse and good works, not by killing himself, no matter how much good it did for others."
I want just to ask you what would you do for the person that you love the most, and I'm a catholic and I know that our religion is based on a man who sacrificed himself to help the others, and in this case I think that even if Will didn't have to die he did a noble choice, to give that people the opportunity to live.
Because with hard work and good action, that girl was going to die and that man was not going to see.

I am 60 and I took my 84 year old Mom to see this great film. I don't care what the critics said about it. It profoundly touched both of us and we have been talking about it for days. I happen to know someone who accidently killed someone and I have seen the way it has torn my friend apart mentally and emotionally. After seeing this movie, I now understand more how my friend is feeling...Suicide is NEVER the answer but folks, this was a movie to maybe show the rest of us how "the other persons in real life are living with the guilt".....maybe this film was made to "open OUR eyes" to help us "help" our friends who may happen to be in the situation that Will Smith was in...in the movie...think about it... anyway, I learned alot from the movie and I think it has a message for all of us....except for the suicide....

this movie was great! so touching, so clinching, so sad but so well done!

SHUT UP NEW YORK TIMES. we loved it!

im 18 and i loved it! it was a brilliant movie and will is a legend!

Thanks so much, 21heartbeats. A great comment!

I take offense to the line where you say that no one thinks that suicide for the benefit of others is not an idea anyone would even consider. Being in the military, I have seen many people give their lives for just that. That selfless act allows others to go on living, so what would you call it?

I personally thought this movie was absolutely stunning. Smith played his character perfectly, and I would have never pictured anyone better for the role. I'm blown away that it didn't get overly good reviews, because I think the movie definitely deserved it. But, I get that's my personal thought.

I believe the point of this movie was to prove the point of selflessness, something that the world has seem to forgotten. This was a fantastic movie in my eyes because it brought the point up of what man's(women) real worth is. I think Will Smith portrayed this part beautifully and masterfully, as he captured the essence of fear. Though he was willing to give of himself, he still feared his actions and what he was about to do. I'm not a heavily religious person, but isn't that what Jesus did? Gave of himself to save the world. The character in the story did just that, giving of himself, to save others, and in turn, maybe causing a ripple effect. This was a great movie regardless of what the critics said.

I don't understand why you have to critic every aspect of the movie. The point of film is to move the beholder. If you can't get lost in the film or feel like you're a part of the movie, you know it's a bit superficial and fake. But real films take the story and create a new vibe or feeling with it to give off to the audience. Just because this vibe may not have been the happiest, at least it puts you in a position of thought. And if our society doesn't enjoy thinking anymore, can a good film ever be labeled a good film? Or are the unrealistic fantasies what we have resorted to? Life is real. And Seven Pounds is an excellent example of a story that portrays something real. It's deep. The emotions and motivations behind the character are complex. But we've all experienced complicated relations. Everyone can understand. And that's what makes a true film. The raw connection of the story to the audience, and of course, how it affects them afterwards. Sure, it may not break through any major revelations, but it does expose us to the reality of selflessness, and how to give - maybe not as dramatically - so that the world is a better place.

The movie was powerful and frightening.Will Smith has truly learned his craft.
There are people who have conceived a life in order to benefit another, so why is it so hard to believe that someone could be so racked with remorse that they take their life. It has happened I agree that most do not have the wherewithal or ability to track and decide who will receive benefit of their death.
The movie is not about a universal decision or acceptance of suicide but an exploration of one mans decision to pay his "pound of flesh" for what he felt responsible for.
The movie did take on a tough issue suicide is a hot button subject many people find it selfish and contemptible but it can also be the means to dying with dignity that many would seek if they had an illness that they would not recover from or would be in a vegetative state.
The movie leads to discussion and self exploration as I said powerful performance.