Poor Will Smith suffers from a tragic Hollywood handicap. Like Robin Williams and Jim Carrey, his off-screen persona overshadows his craftsmanship when it comes to acting. This means that he has to work extra hard to achieve an authentic transformation into a character different from his persona.
This affliction tends to predominate among comedians, and maybe that's the reason Jack Nicholson has been able to overcome this potentially debilitating condition. Or maybe he's just a brilliant actor.
But "Seven Pounds" fails as a movie because it doesn't manage to counterbalance the powerful force that is "Big Willy Style", confirming once again that Smith is most clearly in his element in comedy or action settings.
His valiant attempts at more dramatic roles are definitely workmanlike, and I can't help feel that eventually the right director will give him a context which amplifies his efforts. Sadly though, that doesn't happen here.
"Seven Pounds'' director, Gabriele Muccino previously helmed a superior attempt by Smith to transcend himself in "Pursuit of Happiness". He took on a more difficult challenge here when he decided to play the story as a suspense thriller, instead of a straight drama. It requires significant skill to arrange the various devices subtly enough to keep the viewer intrigued without losing them before the climax. Shyamalan's "Sixth Sense" and any of Hitchhock's famous works are fine examples of achievement in this respect.
It's hard to summarise the plot without giving it away, so let's just say that Smith portrays a man who tries, in a unique way, to wrestle down the demons scared up in the aftermath of a terrible personal tragedy.
The narrative is non-linear enough to indeed build some mystery. It provides sufficient clues along the way to keep the audience guessing and on your way home you'll have the added bonus of finally being able to work out what the enigmatic title refers to.
But if you're not a die-hard Will Smith fan, willing to forgive most any trespasses by the great man, some of the dramatic interludes and intense staring will start to wear thin long before the end credits are rolling.
This affliction tends to predominate among comedians, and maybe that's the reason Jack Nicholson has been able to overcome this potentially debilitating condition. Or maybe he's just a brilliant actor.
But "Seven Pounds" fails as a movie because it doesn't manage to counterbalance the powerful force that is "Big Willy Style", confirming once again that Smith is most clearly in his element in comedy or action settings.
His valiant attempts at more dramatic roles are definitely workmanlike, and I can't help feel that eventually the right director will give him a context which amplifies his efforts. Sadly though, that doesn't happen here.
"Seven Pounds'' director, Gabriele Muccino previously helmed a superior attempt by Smith to transcend himself in "Pursuit of Happiness". He took on a more difficult challenge here when he decided to play the story as a suspense thriller, instead of a straight drama. It requires significant skill to arrange the various devices subtly enough to keep the viewer intrigued without losing them before the climax. Shyamalan's "Sixth Sense" and any of Hitchhock's famous works are fine examples of achievement in this respect.
It's hard to summarise the plot without giving it away, so let's just say that Smith portrays a man who tries, in a unique way, to wrestle down the demons scared up in the aftermath of a terrible personal tragedy.
The narrative is non-linear enough to indeed build some mystery. It provides sufficient clues along the way to keep the audience guessing and on your way home you'll have the added bonus of finally being able to work out what the enigmatic title refers to.
But if you're not a die-hard Will Smith fan, willing to forgive most any trespasses by the great man, some of the dramatic interludes and intense staring will start to wear thin long before the end credits are rolling.