Seven Pounds - discussion guide

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Summary

IRS agent Ben Thomas (Will Smith) has decided to radically improve the lives of seven strangers. The seven are carefully chosen. Ben seeks out people who deserve his gifts, people who are good, honest and loving. He cares little for his own comfort and is willing to give away all of his assets, material and physical.

Who is this man and what has made him so charitable? Ben’s character is left as a mystery – his background, motivations and intentions are only revealed at the end of the film. But throughout the film one gets a sense that Ben is on the run from something, that he is giving out of guilt. It is clear that Ben is on a mission, but where will it end?

In a twist of fate he did not expect, Ben falls in love with one of his seven people, Emily Posa (Rosaria Dawson). When their relationship stands in the way of Ben’s mission, which will he choose?

Background

The director, leading man and producers of The Pursuit of Happiness are reunited in this equally intense drama. Smith’s emotive portrayal has been criticised by some as indulgent and award baiting. Anthony Quinn writes, ‘Soppy romance and excruciating piety cling to the film like bindweed . . . with the divine parallels of self-sacrifice taken to extremes of righteous absurdity.’[1] Other critics have applauded both Smith and Dawson for the depth of their performances. Pete Hammond writes, ‘Will Smith is at his best . . . [Gabriele Muccino] has given Smith and Dawson a real showcase, finding the meat of a story that’s one from the heart and good for the soul.’[2]

Smith described his reasons for getting involved with the film:

Usually with the films that I make there are ideas that I connect to, but lately I've been dealing with the bittersweet in life because it feels more natural. You don't ever get it really the way you want in life. That really fascinates me.[3]

The film’s powerful ending was kept tightly under wraps, even by critics. It opens up questions about sacrifice, redemption and love. The title Seven Pounds was also left unexplained, but is likely to refer to Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, in which a creditor demands a pound of flesh when a debt is left unpaid.

Questions for Discussion

1. What did you think of the way the story was told? Did you like being kept in the dark or did this frustrate you?

2. Why do you think Muccino chose to introduce Ben with the scene in which he phones Ezra (Woody Harrelson)? How did you respond to the different facets of Ben’s character?

3. When Ben was looking for the seven people he would help his criteria included ‘good’, ‘decent’, ‘kind, slow to anger’ and ‘deserving’. If you had the chance to help any seven people in the world, what kind of people would you choose?

4. What did you think of the people Ben chose to help? Do you think anyone can deserve the level of charity Ben is offering?

5. Do you consider yourself to be a good person? Why / why not? What do you think it takes to be classed as a ‘good’ person?

6. Jesus chose to sacrifice himself to save others, but he didn’t choose deserving people. He promised to rescue anyone who trusts him and is sorry for the bad things they’ve done. What do you think of these criteria?

7. Why do people trust Ben? Why does he hide who he is?

8. ‘I did something really bad once and I’m never gonna be the same again.’(Ben)
   
   In what ways does this one act define Ben? Do you think this is right?

9. Were you surprised by the ending? What did it reveal about Ben’s motivation for helping the seven people? How did it make you feel?

10. Do you think we need to make up for the things we’ve done wrong in our lives? How might we do this? Could it ever be enough to cover all our wrongdoing past, present and future?

11. Do you think Ben’s actions made up for his past mistakes?

12. Jesus lived a perfect live, so he didn’t have any wrongdoing in his life to make up for. His sacrifice made up for the wrongdoing of everyone who accepts that Jesus died in their place. How does Jesus’s death compare with Ben’s?

13. How did you feel about Ben and Emily’s relationship? How did you respond to the ultimatum Ben was faced with in the end? Did you identify more with Ben or Emily? Why?

14. In order to save Emily, Ben had to end his relationship with her. Jesus died to save us but, by coming back to life, he still offers us a relationship with him. What do you think of this resolution?

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