Movie Review: 7 Pounds

What a treat.....a review!

Well, maybe. Movies do fall into the category of pop culture, so here we go with the latest.

7 Pounds is not advertised as a romantic comedy, and accurately so. At least the trailers for this film are honest and pretty informative, without giving away the whole plot. For those of you who may be looking for something totally "out there" and non-conforming, look elsewhere. Why? Well, the plot will be given away in the next paragraph or two, so if you plan to see the movie, read no further. If not, then read on and see what is meant by non-conforming.

Will Smith delivers yet another believable and fairly seasoned performance as Bill (nee, Tim), supposedly an IRS agent who is seeking out certain people, for reasons not entirely revealed or understood early in the film. The trailers, and the actual movie, hint at a need for redemption for Bill, who is clearly troubled and disguising his real intentions, but as the movie unfolds, it is clear that the main character is not malicious. Even with reservations, the average movie watcher will feel comfortable towards Smith's character.

Speaking of redemption, it is a common theme in many movies these days. The not so recent Last Samurai was all about the redemption of a troubled soul, for example. Smith's other serious movie, The Pursuit of Happyness has redemption (and survival) at its core. Rarely can one view a movie that does not have some form of redemptive aspect written into the main theme, or character. 7 Pounds is literally built around it.

What does the average Hollywood writer, producer, or director know about redemption? For that matter, what does anyone really know about it? Christians use the word redemption to describe what God has done to "buy us back" from the penalty of our sins, and to make us new, and to make us His. It infers a title to ownership, as we submit to God's sovereign reign over us in response to His saving us from eternal damnation, as the price of our disobedience, and for placing ourselves on the "throne of our lives," which is idolatry. Such a huge and sweeping definition is way beyond the scope and reach of Hollywood, but curious that a miniature view of this mega-theme is oft repeated in their writings and musings.

7 Pounds is not a feel good movie. Be prepared for that. It has dark undertones, but to its credit, most of the questions that pop up are answered in the end. Maybe the most dark and sad aspect is that, for the main character, redemption is sought in a way that no one, Christian or not, will totally agree with. OK, so a few really lost souls with morbid outlooks will consider the stated design adequate, but no one else will. In all reality, the character of Bill is lost in sorrow, despair, and anguish, and few people so lost would ever conceive of such an elaborate plan that seems outwardly so magnanimous. In fact, sadly -- in our present ego-centric society, few people in similar circumstances as Bills would even consider a need to redeem their actions. Just look to the iconic O.J. for one instance.

We all get torn up over watching someone troubled and broken trying to make amends, but Christians need to look deeper, search further, and think beyond the emotions. 7 Pounds can cause heroic tendencies to swell, but when we consider that only God can truly redeem our sins, or mistakes, our ill effects upon our fellow man, we would do well to look to Him for redemption in our lives and the lives of others, rather than to take matters into our own hands and attempt to affect a change that can truly right the wrongs.

We are really helpless to change our state, and the state of others. This is a small part of the beginning of wisdom, and a common theme that all who have placed their faith in Christ can attest to. Doing good for others and to others is a worthy venture to undertake in life, but being a willing, obedient, and loving servant of the most high God who only can affect redemption, is a far more worthy use of the life He has given us.

Perhaps if Smith's character in this movie had been portrayed as someone who sought true forgiveness from God, and then sought God's will concerning the lives of the others, the movie would taken a very different, and much brighter, path.