An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Derek Malcolm's rating
Reader rating
Dir: Gabriele Muccino.
Cast: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Michael Ealy, Barry Pepper
Description: IRS tax collector Ben Thomas telephones 911 to report that he is about to commit suicide for reasons, which are unclear. In a series of flashbacks, Ben tracks down seven strangers whose fates are somehow connected to his own, including a single woman with a serious heart condition, a blind pianist, a neglectful doctor and a physically abused Hispanic wife. As he worms his way into these people's lives, Ben reveals the strangers all have roles to play in a grander scheme and they must make a leap of faith if this plan is to succeed.
Country: US. 2008. 125mins
In good hands: Rosario Dawson plays a cardiac patient whom Will Smith’s bogus tax inspector wants to help
Will Smith is a big star and well above average as an actor when given half a chance. He is given a third of a chance, but no more than that, in Gabriele Muccino’s film. Smith is on screen almost throughout, as if Muccino thought that just training the camera on him would make him produce something special. A flaccid screenplay and a limp piece of storytelling that’s far too long don’t allow him to manage it.
Smith plays Ben Thomas, a suicidal man who has killed seven people in a car crash. He tries for redemption by posing as a tax inspector and visiting seven men and women in dire need of help. He’s prepared to do anything for them, sometimes without them knowing. Soon, he falls in love with a cardiac patient (Rosario Dawson), who turns his shattered world inside out.
Seven Pounds starts well, with Smith genuinely looking like a man who’s seen a ghost, determined to purge his soul. But what could have been a good story treads water when he falls in love and ends up stirring a bowl of errant clichés.
Both he and Dawson perform adequately but Muccino doesn’t impart anything like enough depth and, by focusing on his star throughout, puts an intolerable weight on his shoulders.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Morning:
13°c
