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FINDING REDEMPTIONFINDING REDEMPTION

Ben Thomas (Will Smith) is tormented by a terrible, life-shattering secret. In order to find redemption, he sets out to change the lives of seven strangers. Over the course of his journey, he meets and falls in love with a cardiac patient named Emily (Rosario Dawson), and in so doing, complicates his mission.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for thematic MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for thematic material, some disturbing content and material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality)a scene of sensuality)

SEVEN POUNDSSEVEN POUNDS © Columbia Pictures. Review © David Bruce © Columbia Pictures. Review © David Bruce

WILL SMITH WILL SMITH (Ben Thomas/Producer) (Ben Thomas/Producer) Plays a man driven by a tragic accident, coming-to-terms with himself He is searching for redemption by committing loving acts Yet, he isn't able to commit to the pain of actually loving someone

ROSARIO DAWSONROSARIO DAWSON(Emily Posa) (Emily Posa) Plays a critically sick woman who is out of breath all the time. A really difficult thing to experience Yet, despite her tangible vulnerability she has determination, contentment and undiminished sensuality.

WOODY HARRELSONWOODY HARRELSON(Ezra) (Ezra) Plays a blind piano player To prepare for the role he took lessons from a number of different piano teachers and worked with the Braille Institute to “experience” blindness.

GABRIELE MUCCINO(Director) "I was drawn to the story because it's about a very mysterious journey that is itself a declaration of love" Directed the 2006 blockbuster The Pursuit of Happyness, also starring Will Smith.

PHILIPPE LE SOURD PHILIPPE LE SOURD (Director of Photography) (Director of Photography) Well-known in Europe Ridley Scott's A Good Year was his first English-language film. This is his second. He used famous paintings as references for this film

Rosario Dawson fought hard for the role: Rosario Dawson fought hard for the role: "This was one of the best scripts that I've "This was one of the best scripts that I've read, period… These characters just really read, period… These characters just really moved me with their authenticity… So, I moved me with their authenticity… So, I auditioned like crazy and dedicated myself auditioned like crazy and dedicated myself to making sure I was a part of this."to making sure I was a part of this."

It begins with a list of seven names: Ben Thomas, Holly Apelgren, Connie Tepos, George Ristuccia, Nicholas Adams, Ezra Turner and Emily Posa. The only thing they share in common are that each has reached a turning point and is in dire need of help, from financial to spiritual to medical…

Unbeknownst to them, Ben has carefully chosen each to be part of his plan of redemption.

But it is Emily Posa (Rosario Dawson), a lively cardiac patient, who throws a wrench into the works as she does the one thing Ben thought impossible - grows close to him - and turns his view of the world and what is possible inside out.

But what Ben Thomas never expects is that he will fall in love with one of the strangers - and that it is she who will start to change him.

However, what is the haunting secret that sets this man out to redeem himself by drastically changing the lives of seven total strangers?

Production designer Michael Riva: "Initially, the whole design is tainted by Ben's inner vision of the world so we used a very sort of dark, warped palette and details on the sets were drained of color…”

“…later explode into rich magentas. After Ben meets Emily, everything that's dark and bland becomes more and more colorful."

ROMANCE WITHOUT TOUCHING One scene where the filmmakers’ vision came together is the moment when Ben and Emily connect in a lush, wide-open field far from the rush of the city. The two characters never even touch ― that's how powerful the relationship is ― and the importance of the romantic Tuscan-type scene selected.

CONSENSUS VOICE:"While it doesn't break any new ground or provide any revelations, Seven Pounds is unabashedly emotional and cautiously hopeful. It's the feel-good movie for these feel-bad times."--Claudia Puig, USA Today

"I hope audiences will take away that feeling of how unique life is. Sometimes we take life for granted and sometimes a movie can remind us of how volatile, how fragile and how ephemeral things are - but also how magical. Sometimes a story can remind us about the beauty we're surrounded by, the people we love and the gifts that connect us" –Gabriele Muccino, director

SEVEN POUNDS: The Road To Redemption.This film reminds me of something the great poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote: “Do not believe that he who seeks to comfort you lives untroubled among the simple and quiet words that sometimes do you good. His life has much difficulty... Were it otherwise he would never have been able to find those words.” This is exactly the realization that Ben come to as he opens himself to the optimistic life-view of Emily. The film encourages us, while on our journey of redemption, to be open to the unexpected God-sends, like Emily. Or, better yet, be like Emily to others!

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH TRAUMA?HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH TRAUMA?1. 1. Both Ben and Emily have experienced trauma. Both Ben and Emily have experienced trauma. 2. 2. But they react to it in very different ways.But they react to it in very different ways.3. 3. Emily can still laugh and dream about life.Emily can still laugh and dream about life.4. 4. Ben can’t even imagine the possibilities of a brighter life. Ben can’t even imagine the possibilities of a brighter life. 5. 5. Ben can't figure out why she's still reaching for life and thus, Ben can't figure out why she's still reaching for life and thus, she becomes his opportunity for a different life.she becomes his opportunity for a different life.

There is no difficulty that enough There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer; no disease love will not conquer; no disease that enough love will not heal; no that enough love will not heal; no door that enough love will not door that enough love will not open. open. --Emmet Fox--Emmet FoxAuthor, Author, The Sermon on the Mount: The The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life.Key to Success in Life.