Capsule review

SEVEN POUNDS—Will Smith is too famous for his own good. His latest vehicle suffers for it. Instead of seeing Ben Thomas, the guilt-ridden IRS agent turned personal savior to seven strangers, we see Will Smith, the effortlessly charismatic celebrity, playing the role of Ben Thomas. Seven Pounds—melodramatic, though it may be—could function as a character study revolving around the protagonist's shattered ego and extreme selflessness at least as much as it focuses on the obligatory and predictable romance between Smith and Rosario Dawson. But Smith, despite his best efforts, will always be Will Smith in our eyes. This, of course, is in the grand tradition of American celebrity (was Marilyn Monroe ever anybody other than Marilyn Monroe?), but even though Smith is certainly a competent actor in this piece—his character's reluctance to accept affection is particularly adept—his fame has overshadowed his talent. Rated PG-13. —BR

Independent Weekly, 12/17/08