Right: Actor Will Smith, the lead in Seven Pounds. Theatre posters and even trailers released by the producers give little indication of the film's ending.
Background information
BackgroundInformation about the film 'Seven Pounds'
(The material supplied below on the film 'Seven Pounds' has been taken from the wikipedia entry dealing with this film. The full wikipedia entry can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Pounds)
'Seven Pounds' is a 2008 drama film, directed by Gabriele Muccino. Will Smith stars as a man who sets out to change the lives of seven strangers. Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, and Barry Pepper also star.
Prior to the film's release, the title 'Seven Pounds' was considered a 'mystery' which the studio refused to explain. Early trailers for Seven Pounds also kept the film's details a mystery. Director Gabriele Muccino explained the intent. 'The [audience] will not know exactly what this man is up to.' Will Smith is reported to have confirmed that the title refers to Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice, in which a debtor must pay a pound of flesh.[9] In this case it amounts to parts of his body donated to seven persons deemed worthy by Smith's character. They are the recipients of his heart, a lung, part of his liver, and his eyes, among other things.
The film was released on December 19, 2008 in 2,758 theaters in the United States and Canada. It grossed an estimated $16 million, placing second at the weekend box office after 'Yes Man'. The opening gross was the lowest for a film starring Smith since 'Ali' in 2001. The gross was also $5 million less than anticipated, partially ascribed to winter storms in the Northeast over the weekend. According to studio research, 64% of the audience was over 25 years old, and 55% were female.
Critics have given the film generally negative reviews. The movie website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 28% of critics gave the film positive write-ups based upon a sample of 130 with an average score of 4.7/10. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has received an average score of 36 based on 31 reviews.
Variety's film reviewer Todd McCarthy predicted that the movie's climax 'will be emotionally devastating for many viewers, perhaps particularly those with serious religious beliefs', but characterised the film as an 'endlessly sentimental fable about sacrifice and redemption that aims only at the heart at the expense of the head'.
Other established reviewers were more critical; A. O. Scott, writing for The New York Times, said that the movie '... may be 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'. Positive reviews singled out Dawson's performance; Richard Corliss wrote in Time that Dawson gives 'a lovely performance', while Mick LaSalle of The San Francisco Chronicle noted that Dawson's performance 'shows once again that she has it in her to be a powerhouse'.
Australia's system of film classification
The Australian Film Classification Board provides the following guidelines for film classifications.
The Film Classification Board's Internet site can be accessed at http://www.classification.gov.au/special.html?n=250&p=58
G classification
This category is considered suitable for all viewers. The G classification symbol does not necessarily indicate that the film is one that children will enjoy. Some G films contain themes or story-lines that are of no interest to children.
Parents should feel confident that children can watch material in this classification without supervision. Material classified G will not be harmful or disturbing to children. Whether or not the film is intended for children, the treatment of themes and other classifiable elements will be careful and discreet.
PG classification
The PG classification signals to parents that material in this category contains depictions or references which could be confusing or upsetting to children without adult guidance.
Material classified PG will not be harmful or disturbing to children. Parents may choose to preview the material for their children, watch the material with their children, or perhaps be accessible during or after the viewing to discuss the content.
M classification
The Mature category is advisory and not legally restricted. However, material in this category cannot be recommended for those under 15 years of age.
Films classified M contain material that is considered to be potentially harmful or disturbing to those under 15 years. Depictions and references to classifiable elements may contain detail. However, the impact will not be so strong as to require restriction.
MA 15+ classification
The MA category is legally restricted. Children under 15 will not be allowed to see MA films in the cinema or hire them on video or DVD unless in the company of a parent or adult guardian.
Material classified MA deals with issues or contains depictions which require a mature perspective. The impact of individual elements or a combination of elements is considered likely to be harmful or disturbing to viewers under 15 years of age.
R 18+ classification
The R category is legally restricted to adults over 18 years of age. Material which is given a restricted classification is unsuitable for those under 18. Material classified R deals with issues or contains depictions which require an adult perspective.
The classification is not intended as a comment on the quality of the material. Some material may be offensive to some sections of the adult community. Material which promotes or incites or instructs in matters of crime and/or violence is not permitted.
X 18+ classification
X18+ is a specially and legally restricted classification category. Films in this classification are sexually explicit and contain depictions of actual sexual intercourse between consenting adults. The X18+ classification means that the film can only be legally sold or hired in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory from premises licensed to sell X18+ videotapes and DVDs. Only people aged 18 years and over are able to buy and hire such films from these premises.