Okay…so I heard a lot of people leaving the movie theater tonite, all of them asking the same question: “…great movie, but what does Seven Pounds mean??” Search no further. I have the answer for you. The title of this new, tear-jerking, Will Smith flick takes its meaning from an old saying that refers to individual favors, acts of kindness, etc to “…a pound of flesh…”. In this movie, Will Smith’s character does 7 life-changing favors for 7 people. Count ‘em up: 1) his brother, 2) Holly (the social worker), 3) Connie (mom w/2 kids), 4) Nicholas (little boy with cancer), 5) George (the hockey coach), 6) Ezra (the pianist), and 7) Emily (the female lead). Seven people. Seven favors. “Seven Pounds” of flesh…bring Kleenex…
119 responses so far ↓
little m // December 23, 2008 at 11:35 am |
I forgot about the hockey coach.
Elliott Bennett // December 26, 2008 at 3:07 am |
The Pound of Flesh is from a the follow play by William Shakespeare
The Merchant Of Venice Act 4, scene 1, 304–307
“A pound of flesh” is a figurative way of referring to a harsh demand or spiteful penalty—the consequences of defaulting on a desperate bargain.
Penalty/Consequence rather that a act of kindness… however this character showed kindness.
Mac Meldrum // December 26, 2008 at 3:08 am |
What was the act of kindness for the hockey coach?? Can’t remember.
chazrusso // December 26, 2008 at 4:36 am |
they never really expounded on it, but from the looks of the few scenes in the hospital with the hockey coach, I would have to guess he was giving him a kidney…besides, what else could he give him that he had left?
paula // December 27, 2008 at 1:26 am |
thanks
we were trying to figure this out.
i remember when will’s character gave bone marrow — maybe that was for the hockey coach?
or maybe that was for the little boy with cancer, because i remember smith’s character looking at a little boy, i guess, in the hospital in front of emily when she asked who will was looking at.
chazrusso // December 27, 2008 at 1:47 am |
Yes…the marrow was for the little boy, nicholas…remember the doctor asked Smith’s character as he was extracting the marrow, “So, how long have you known nicholas?” Smith’s character was giving the marrow without any kind of pain killer…
anonymous // December 27, 2008 at 3:56 am |
You are forgetting a key part here. He killed seven people, and to repay his immense debt he had to give “a pound of flesh” as repayment of the debt. Hence seven pounds of flesh.
chazrusso // December 27, 2008 at 4:15 am |
Not forgotten at all…you (as the viewer) knew those seven names of the lives he took from the very first scene. He recited them after he got off the phone with the blind salesman. I just think the focus of the movie is about the repayment–the seven favors–the seven lives he saved for the seven lives he took. If the focus of the movie was about the seven lives he took, rather than the favors, you would have had an even more depressing movie with hardly any redeeming value…
fistandantilus // December 27, 2008 at 8:53 am |
The hockey coach received a kidney, since the doctor asked him if he was excited that it would be his last day on dialysis.
The other significant meaning to the number 7 in this movie is the 7 seconds of the accident that shattered his world.
Cynthia // December 27, 2008 at 4:48 pm |
The acts of kindness of the hockey coach was that he had set up college scholarships for underserved latino males in the hockey profession – this was noted when Ben and the hockey coach were in the hospital talking, while the coach was hooked up to a dialysis machine. And for those who do not know, you get put on dialysis because of failing kidneys. I think the doctor made reference to this when he asked if he was ready – but it was very brief.
Nicholas (the young boy with cancer who received Ben’s bone marrow), was a replacement for the original bone marrow recepient (the bad administrator of the nursing home). Ben saw that the administrator was not a good man – not taking care of his residents, buying a brand new sporty BMW in total disregards to owing almost 50K to the IRS – the administrator was just in it for himself. Ben was looking for genuine, good hearted and unselfish people who thought of others even in their on discouraging conditions.
Tromler831 // December 27, 2008 at 11:06 pm |
Thanks for explaining the seven pounds, everyone was trying to get they reasoning after the show. Thanks
Lisa // December 28, 2008 at 2:31 am |
Yeah, the hockey coach received a kidney. Remember when his doctor said, “Well, this is your last dialysis”?
Josh // December 28, 2008 at 5:54 am |
…but corneas don’t weigh even 7 ounces…. nor does bone marrow – am I being too literal?
chazrusso // December 29, 2008 at 8:08 am |
Yeah…a little too literal. Think more along the lines of “an eye for an eye”…seven lives taken–seven lives given back…
uglyinamerica // December 28, 2008 at 5:56 am |
Rosario Dawson was super awesome in this movie.
Julie // December 28, 2008 at 10:00 pm |
There’s still one part of the movie I’m confused about. The old woman at the beginning who didn’t want to talk. What did she mean by “he’s punishing me” and why was it so urgent that she had to get a bath? Was it because he didn’t take care of her and didn’t give her what she needed?
chazrusso // December 29, 2008 at 8:06 am |
The administrator wasn’t compassionate. He was not taking care of the people he was given care over. It wasn’t urgently necessary that she got a bath–it wasn’t even about the bath. Think of it this way: you’re Smith’s character. You’ve made the same mistake he made and now you fully know and understand the value of human life, doing all you can to save all you can. That’s why it was such an emotional moment. You see a life neglected, abused. It brings him to a point that he takes any action…
Abibelle // May 2, 2009 at 6:11 pm
It was literally about a bath. When the lady wrote he is punishing me. The Adminstrator was punishing her for not taking her meds by not allowing her to be bathed. That is why he was carring a trash bag when he left the room. It contained the dirty bed linens that she had been made to lie on.
Top Posts « WordPress.com // December 29, 2008 at 12:22 am |
[...] Meaning of “seven Pounds” TITLE… Okay…so I heard a lot of people leaving the movie theater tonite, all of them asking the same question: [...] [...]
Maria // December 29, 2008 at 12:32 am |
I forgot, but what was wrong with the administrator at the nursing home…you know one who bought the BMW and owed 50K in taxes to the IRS? Ben would have helped him if he was a worthy man. So what was wrong with him? I missed this part of the movie.
chazrusso // December 29, 2008 at 8:00 am |
The “extension” Will Smith’s character was saying he would have given to him not an extension on his back taxes, but actually one on his life. That’s why he asked the elderly woman in the bed if he was a good man–because he didn’t want “to give that man a gift he doesn’t deserve”. If you listened closely to the conversation he has with the administrator in his office, the administrator mentions he needs a bone marrow transplant. He was his first candidate. That’s why Will Smith’s character got so emotional when he found out that he wasn’t a good person…and smashed his head against the door…
tyesha // December 29, 2008 at 5:43 am |
Thanks—all of ur comments helped me greatly
Lorraine // December 29, 2008 at 7:07 am |
Can you explain the brother part?
Lorraine // December 29, 2008 at 7:08 am |
LE WHAT EXACTLY DID HE DO FOR HIS BROTHER
chazrusso // December 29, 2008 at 7:54 am |
His brother was the first of his “good deeds”–you heard this when his brother came to see Emily at the end after Smith’s character had died. He gave him a lung if I’m remembering correctly. Remember the massive scar going across his ribcage when he took his shirt off?
KLK2113 // December 29, 2008 at 1:30 pm |
BTW… Will Smith’s name in the movie was Tim. Ben was his brother who was actually the IRS guy. The story he told Emily about a boy named Tim falling out of a tree was true…it was him. Just wanted to clear that up for those that may not have known.
T to the B // December 29, 2008 at 1:58 pm |
Cornea transplants are very common. Organ rejection is rare and can be controled with steroids. Cornea tissue lives on fluids not blood. If Ezra needed a cornea he could have recieved one 20 or 30 years ago.
Shileda M. // December 29, 2008 at 3:38 pm |
Thank you so much for explaining the meaning of the title. I was searching every where for it. I like the movie even more so now that I know what the title means. Fantastic movie!
Keon S. // December 29, 2008 at 4:10 pm |
Ezra probably did not have any health benefits with his telemarketing job. It was Will’s best friend’s job to arrange for Ezra to get the corneas and to make sure the financial aspect was taken care of. That is why Will told him that the guy would contact him and that he could trust him.
Sandy // December 29, 2008 at 4:23 pm |
The brother, Ben, received a lobe of Tim’s liver. He mentioned that at the end as well. He talked about how he really needed 2 lobes of liver, but tim could only give one. I wonder if he got another after Tim died.
Also, apparenltly Tim had the same rare blood type as Emily, which is why he was able to donate a heart to her when her chances were so low.
I wonder if blood type would affect corneas. Maybe that is why Ezra couldn’t get the surgery earlier. Or maybe Tim provided the cost of the surgery. It was clear that Ezra was not a wealthy man, working in a call center.
chazrusso // December 29, 2008 at 4:39 pm |
I’m pretty sure it was Holly, the social worker, that received part of Tim’s liver…that’s how she knew him when he went to see her about a “name”…
Abibelle // May 2, 2009 at 6:15 pm |
Lungs are considered lobes. The brother needed to new lungs or lobes, because he had lung cancer. Unfortunately, he could only give one lobe, aka lung or he would die.
Sandy // December 29, 2008 at 4:44 pm |
You’re right. Holly was the liver, and Ben was the lung. They must have been talking about 2 failing lung lobes, not liver.
Toni C. // December 29, 2008 at 5:15 pm |
Overall, I loved the movie, but it’s one that I’m definitely going to have to see again to catch all of the important details (conversations, looks, body language, etc.) I love all of this dialogue about the movie; it’s helping me remember things that I did and didn’t remember, and scenes that went right over my head. Rosario & Will both did awesome jobs, but I guess when two good actors come together for another film, a masterpiece is inevitable. Thanks for all of the explanations!
Free as a bird // December 29, 2008 at 8:11 pm |
My mother went to see the film and we both sat down and discussed the 7 ‘favors’ Will Smith’s character gave–because she had missed the hockey coach, the battered mother and the little boy. I figured that the hockey coach received some kind of organ, although at first I wasn’t quite sure which one. The little boy received bone marrow, of course. And the single mom got his gorgeous beach home.
My mom didn’t see how the house fit into
the picture-I thought since your house is like
an extension of your self?
lala // December 29, 2008 at 8:40 pm |
The skin is the largest organ of the body and it weighs 7 pounds on average. Maybe this is significant seeing that he was donating his organs.
josh // December 30, 2008 at 2:24 am |
i believe the hockey coach was a kidnyy transplant
capri // December 30, 2008 at 10:15 pm |
The performance Will did in this movie was remarkaBle. Givin 7 people you don’t know life, sure classifies him as a hero. Just think, take a pole of ten people who are in perfect health, has a well payin joB, wealthy, (loss a love one), and see how many would do what he did. The world is so selfish and materials rules “SAD”
MEANING OF “SEVEN POUNDS” TITLE… « GRAPHIC SOUL | Strictly Anything // December 30, 2008 at 11:28 pm |
[...] MEANING OF “SEVEN POUNDS” TITLE… « GRAPHIC SOUL. [...]
Karen // December 31, 2008 at 2:18 am |
Ok. So what was in the present he was going to give Emily? Also, at the very end of the movie with Ezra playing the piano -was the black boy in the choir the same boy he helped? And why did he have to steal his brothers identity?
Gina // December 31, 2008 at 2:20 am |
The guy at the old folks home was touching the women. I picked up on this after catching the very subtle hints. If you noticed he was talking down to her and she wouldnt look him in the eye. Than when he tried to touch her she would jerk away. Than when will asked how she was being punished she started crying. Being neglected doesnt make a person cry, being molested does. Thats also a reason will got so upset and smashed the guys head against the window. And that is also the reason he urgently made them bathe her, to cleanse her from that.
Annette // December 31, 2008 at 6:08 am |
This is a movie that causes you to reflect and wonder…to that end, “Seven Pounds” could reference the deal struck in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice where Antonio agrees to let Shylock have a pound of his flesh if he does not pay back a bond by a specific date. In other words, if you renege on an agreement with someone, there is a price to pay. What agreement does Smith’s character renege on? Implicit in his relationship with his wife is that he love, honor, and protect her. He breaks that agreement when he crashes the car, thereby killing her. He spends the remainder of his time on earth paying the price for this, attempting to atone for the accident, and ultimately redeems himself by giving the organ that sustains life, the heart.
angela // December 31, 2008 at 6:18 am |
A pound of flesh is an old saying that refers to acts of giving and kindness. Hence, he provides 7 acts of kindness which lead to the title Seven Pounds. I thought the movie was cool. I felt like it was dragging at times and needed a little pick me up. I almost went to sleep a couple times. I loved Rosario Dawson she was great. And Will shows why he’s the highest paid actor.
homelessgirl // December 31, 2008 at 8:23 pm |
ohhhhhh, I was wondering what that meant although I have not seen the movie yet, so whoops
michael // December 31, 2008 at 11:36 pm |
im pretty sure that the 7pounds represents the weight of his greatest sacrifice, his heart…think about it.
Abibelle // May 2, 2009 at 6:18 pm |
I thought so too, but I looked up the weight of the human heart and it is only 11 ounces.
tvsmusings // January 1, 2009 at 9:53 am |
I dont know bout you guys but me and the wife feel like Smith’s character or the way he portrayed wasn’t as good as how he did in pursuit of happiness…Just saying. But good movie in entirety.
team_webbtastic // January 1, 2009 at 10:06 pm |
I personally think they made the title seven pounds..because if you add the weight of all the items donated by Will Smiths character it equals 7 pounds…. again thats just me guessing.
george // January 1, 2009 at 10:15 pm |
So, this is interesting…. We all think we know so many things – and don’t.
We’re all sure that what we think coincides with reality – but it most often doesn’t.
Tim, not Ben, gave Ezra his eyes, not his corneas.
Human skin averages 8 – 10 pounds, not seven.
The brain is only about 3 pounds, so that is out.
The heart is less than a pound, so *that’s* out.
The title most certainly *does not* reference ‘acts of kindness and giving’ – there is no ‘old saying’ about a pound of flesh that has anything to do with that – it might be a reference to The Merchant of Venice.
This theory gains weight by the fact that the film is *not* about kindness and giving – it is about loss and redemption. redemption can come from ‘paying debts.’
But to have the reference to The Merchant of Venice, in which Shylock demanded a ‘pound of flesh’ in payment of the loan to Antonio if he failed to pay the debt.
Antonio had taken the terms in a moment of desperate wishful thinking, and when his ships foundered and he was ruined. Shylock demanded his ‘pound of flesh’ – citing Antonio’s heart as the warranty, which meant that Antonio must die.
It seems to be a literal reference – the weight of any individual organ (heart, brain, etc) is not seven pounds.
But…
‘Pound of flesh’ refers to an *onerous* debt, one that is either unable to be paid (but demanded), or one that is far in excess of the amount owed, or one in which the payment is set to adamantly exacting standards (Antonio’s lawyer before the Duke points out that the contract calls for a pound of flesh and if he takes one bit more (or any blood) he will be guilty of taking the life of a citizen.
So this interpretation of the title would put some interesting fillips on the entire narrative of the film Seven Pounds: an onerously imposed contract, an adamant demand of a creditor, and a borrower who had offered other payment and been rejected.
Certainly will make for some spirited conversations about the film.
slagar // January 2, 2009 at 12:54 am |
Seriously, people didn’t catch that? Heh.
Justin // January 2, 2009 at 4:46 am |
he needed is brothers identity to get into the ira so he could look at peoples lives who met his criteria. also towards the end i think it was the little boy because the camera payed a lot of attention to the black boy if you notice so it would be a good assumption to say so
b.LoBianco // January 2, 2009 at 4:51 am |
His brother, Ben gota section of lung, Holly got the liver lobe, The mother with two kids was given a way out of a dangerous and life threatening relationship with the house, the hockey coach got a kidney, the little boy got bone marrow (leukemia), Ezra got corneas and Emily got her heart. 7 lives saved for 7 lives taken.
Dawn // January 2, 2009 at 6:51 pm |
Wouldn’t the toxins from the box jellyfish make a donor’s organs ineligible for donation?
caliphoenix // January 2, 2009 at 8:55 pm |
I haven’t seen the movie yet but I have read the movie spoiler (which is what I typically do and then watch the movie on DVD). I understood the title once I realized how the movie ended and I think it’s a very clever and apt title.
On a Merchant of Venice side note, I always remember thinking what is the weight of a pound of flesh. The Debt in MOV, did not include blood or bone, only a pound of flesh…
Just one of those tangent thoughts that come to me, usually when I’m in the shower at 2 AM in the morning.
timothysherrell // January 2, 2009 at 9:14 pm |
Well done.
agenttg // January 2, 2009 at 9:43 pm |
I had heard it is because the average human hear weighs about 7 pounds.
Sophie // January 3, 2009 at 2:55 am |
I think the old women was being punished by the administrator for not taking her medication by refusing to allow her to bathe. I don’t think there was any sexual meolestation because I don’t think Will would have even considered leaving her there.
James B // January 3, 2009 at 5:54 am |
i get the thorcuhing at the old folks home but what did that guy get denied from? What was the concept of bens visit to there?
jess // January 3, 2009 at 6:25 am |
the great dane was also onlyexpected to live 7 years.
jess // January 3, 2009 at 6:27 am |
the guy at the nursing home was supposed to get the bone marrow but he wasn’t a good person so Nicholas got it.
Will Rhodes // January 3, 2009 at 8:07 am |
It was Will Smith’s worst movie after ‘Happy(i)ness’ – stick to action/cop drama – this was a baad film!
Brian H // January 3, 2009 at 6:56 pm |
You gotta love a movie like this with so much symbolism and double-meaning. I’m sure a second viewing would flush out so much more. Consider the scene where Emily is showing Tim her printing presses, and demonstrates how modern presses only “kiss” the paper, whereas modern girls want a “real impression”. This could be seen as an echo of Tim’s struggle to indulge in the surface relationship with Emily (the romance, the sex, “What if we had children? What if we got married?”) but ultimately commits to executing his sacrificial plan (we know he is fighting some internal emotional resistance) of making a real difference in her life–a real impression–by *literally* giving her his heart.
Nailah // January 3, 2009 at 9:38 pm |
More thoughts: Will Smith’s character was probably type O- because that is the universal blood type that can be given to all different blood types but can only receive from other type O-s… that would explain why it was so hard for the people he helped to find donors and/or why he was able to help so many unrelated people
Also, I remember hearing that a pound of flesh is the greatest amount of flesh that can be lost without killing a person, but it certainly amounts to a LOT of loss…
trout8 // January 3, 2009 at 11:19 pm |
Good job I really wanna go see that movie
AJ // January 4, 2009 at 1:19 am |
Here you go.
riveroflifelisajoy // January 4, 2009 at 1:28 am |
I was told that there are only 7 organs that you can donate from the human body?
True or what?
What did you think of his method of death….?
Is that possible? I cringed just to think of it. He was really, really punishing himself. No anesthia when he had the bone marrow taken.
Ugh!
I cried, and I cried in my home. I did not cry right away. I had to think this over. It hurt because it reminded me of alot of personal experiences. Ones in which other people have sacrificed for me. OH, this movie…this movie.
Any way…Happy New Year Guys….
and remember….theme of the new year….despite everything else:
“YOU ARE GONNA SHINE IN 2009!!!!”:D
Illusionist // January 4, 2009 at 5:11 am |
I hope that by me reading this it didn’t spoil the movie for me.
rohinizworld // January 4, 2009 at 9:35 am |
Thanks !
Yet to watch the movie… Now I will come out without any doubts
sanguines // January 4, 2009 at 12:02 pm |
Is it really good movie?
I haven’t watched it yet. Planned to if it’s really good. XD
Coz the title sounds like a thriller movie anyway.
wantguru // January 4, 2009 at 12:05 pm |
I think Rosario Dawson was super awesome in this movie, too. I love this movie.
rmac1954 // January 4, 2009 at 4:32 pm |
Even though I knew what was going to happen after about 2 minutes into the movie, it was well worth the price of admission.
Annette // January 4, 2009 at 10:03 pm |
I love to look for the metaphor, not the literal in most movies and especially this one. Look at Dawson’s character; she composes wedding invitations. What could that mean? On the surface, this might seem just another vocation, however she is composing HEARTFELT missives all the while being a peripheral part of the joining of two HEARTS. She is also the last great love of Tim’s life – perhaps his own heart’s healing. Finally, she receives a heart that was once broken and is now made whole by love and sacrifice; a heart as perfect as anyone could hope for.
Cynthia Kauffman // January 4, 2009 at 11:01 pm |
It’s good to get these ‘meanings’ from others; as we all see different things that other viewers may not. I knew none of this, however, going into the movie… and I’m glad! Each ‘turn’ was either rewarding, informative, or both. At any rate, they were all ‘new’ to me! I got to ‘discover’ the movie for myself.
Jackigh // January 4, 2009 at 11:48 pm |
Enlightening comments. I did not connect Shakespeare, but 7 pounds of flesh for 7 debts owed. Forgot about hockey coach, but don’t think he got an organ, but underprivileged Latino youth benefited – Ben was privileged, went to MIT. Movie is very symbolic and metaphoric – one inconsistency I picked up on immediately: God created the world in SIX days; rested (Sabbath) on the 7th. But for the symbolic Number 7 to work, I’m okay with it. The number seven also symbolizes (biblical) completion … Seems that Ben came full circle.
DIANE // January 5, 2009 at 2:46 am |
i believe the meaning of the title ’seven pounds’ was taken from the saying, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’.
he cured 7 people.
blackcatonedolar // January 5, 2009 at 4:00 am |
Very good!!
http://blackcatonedolar.wordpress.com/
Wit // January 5, 2009 at 2:56 pm |
I usually don’t pay attention to the critics, but they are really bashing this movie. Is it as bad as they make it sound?
chazrusso // January 6, 2009 at 6:43 am |
Critics bash anything for any reason–most of the time, simply because they can. I learned a long time ago not to trust any critic–only trust yourself…
blueskies2day // January 6, 2009 at 10:16 am |
i’ve had a look through these comments and i haven’t seen anyone mention something which came into my head as soon as i saw the title of the movie (i haven’t seen the movie so my theory might be wrong).
there is a rumour (possibly an urban myth) that when someone dies, their body weight mysteriously reduces my 7 pounds.
no explanation has been found for this, which has led some people to claim that this is evidence for the existence of a soul: when the soul leaves the body, the body weight reduces.
like i said, this might not be correct at all, just thought i’d throw it in there…
sittingpugs // January 6, 2009 at 1:45 pm |
I haven’t seen the film, but the first time I saw the trailer, I thought, “seven pounds…it’s like the seven deadly sins, but the opposite.”
Elle // January 6, 2009 at 11:40 pm |
Tim donated his eyes to Ezra, if you notice Ezra’s eyes are blue/green but at the end of the recital when he meets with Emily his eyes are brown (dark) and she looks into his eyes because it was as if she looking into Tim’s eyes.
Overall it was a great movie that got you thinking – even after you left the theater! I definitely need to watch it again to get all those little things I missed!
jess // January 7, 2009 at 3:51 am |
This movie made me double over from crying. I have had many very “manly” guy friends admit to it being a tear jerker. It is in my top 5 movies. I love it!!!
mare // January 7, 2009 at 1:21 pm |
besides all that has been said, i also think he wanted ezra & emily to fall in love, remember he asked ezra if he was ever in love? also i think the ice was to protect his organs & his friends help afterwards in getting the body to the hospital asap to get the organs out right away. this was such a powerful film that only will smith could do …it touch on so many things besides the 7 for 7 …it also made you think about the cell phone issue on our roads today, almost as bad as drunk driving…and it made me think more about how important being an organ donor is. more than enuf emotion for 1 movie. everyone should see this film.
Anonymous // January 9, 2009 at 8:26 pm |
I have to agree with the critics. This movie was slow and the outcome was somewhat predictable. I felt no connection with the characters as they were being introduced, nor was it even close to being a tear-jerker for me. I love Will Smith but this movie was not one of his best. I think the assumption that the lady got molested in the hospital was also a bit far-fetched. I don’t think that Tim would leave her there if that were the case. The conversations the characters had with each other were bland and uninteresting, failing to captivate me. However, this movie wasn’t extremely terrible. It was just a little mundane. I also believe the title means what the topic says it means.
Endolin // January 14, 2009 at 11:45 am |
Some medical issues here.
1. About organ transplant and rejection. You don’t just match the blood type, it is really the tissue types that really matter when it come to find a match. So we were led to believe that somehow Tim had first found out all the compatible patients waiting for organ transplant by having medical tests done on his organs and tissues, then using IRS info to determine who should get help. Well, it may work for some, but for me that’s a bit far-fetched.
2. It’s not the cornea that determines one’s eye color, it’s the iris, the small structure that constricts and dilates to control the amount of light entering the eyes. So how come Ezra’s eye color changed after the operation? Cornea is meant to be transparent to let light through, so are the lenses?
Any medical experts here to enlighthen us?
the wanderer // January 16, 2009 at 11:54 pm |
Mmm, I need to watch this movie again, I obviously missed a lot. Thanks.
Donsteph // January 18, 2009 at 3:30 pm |
Love reading the different views on this film…
I have to agree with “mare”, Im impressed that they touched on the subject of drving whilst talking on a mobile (or cell as the Americans refer to it) but I also noted that not only was he talking on his mobile but he was putting his work before his wife (or family), which is so common these days, however he paid for it more immediately than most will.
Another note, people are noting the reference of giving a “pound” from shakespear a lot; it is also mentioned in the bible once or twice which ties in with the “God created the world in 7 days… I destroyed mine in 7 seconds” thing (sorry, the quotes not right but its 1am, give me a break =P)
Touching film. xx
Jackie // January 18, 2009 at 9:29 pm |
Re medical “facts” – does it matter?
It’s a FILM not a documentary!!!
It doesn’t have to be factual – enjoy it for what it is.
chazrusso // January 18, 2009 at 11:25 pm |
I agree with you Jackie…..see, the thing is, that people nowadays don’t understand the concept of “giving of oneself”. Thats why everyone on here is searching for some rational reason for Tim to do what he did, or even some medical explanation. There is none. Get over it. Give of yourself. Its not always about you, or what you can get out of a good deed. Once you realize that, you’ll start seeing things differently–as the character in this movie did…..
Amber // January 24, 2009 at 5:13 am |
So, there is a saying “pound for pound” where, when you do something wrong, you have to pay it back to the exact dollar, pound for pound. You steal five bucks, you pay back five bucks, etc.
Smith’s character took seven lives, thus has to repay seven people, pound for pound, seven pounds.
I don’t think it has anything to do with the actual organs, he only gave away 6, and together they should weigh excptionally more than 7lbs.
Declan O`Connor // January 28, 2009 at 11:36 pm |
7 lives taken,7 lives giving……..
Its as simple as that…….
People should not look into any more than that……
By the way GR8 movie
Meghan // February 2, 2009 at 6:45 am |
Does anyone know the exact quote when Ben and Emily are in bed and they play the what if game? I have looked for it everywhere and I can’t seem to find it. Thanks, I really appreciate it.
anonymous // February 2, 2009 at 2:39 pm |
She asks him what if my pager goes off and it is a heart and my body doesn’t reject it and I have more time. He says what if we have children. What if we get married? He then says I love you. She tells him that she loves him too.
vm // February 8, 2009 at 8:56 am |
the guy was just saying the facts about the medical parts. it was not just a corneal transplant because iris determines pigment of eye.
he said this because people were saying things that were inaccurate. he didn’t say it to be a jerk who didn’t wanna enjoy the movie.
Andy // February 22, 2009 at 5:39 pm |
Thanks! Now I can go to sleep…watched the movie earlier today and couldn’t stop thinking what did we miss to explain the name of the movie…
Jasee // March 12, 2009 at 4:26 pm |
I love this film! such sacrificion!
C Simpson // March 24, 2009 at 5:00 am |
Thank to you all…I watched the movie today, and agree with those whose answer is based on the simplist explanation.
An Eye for a Eye
A Life for a Life,
A Pound for a Pound.
Remember in the movie a pound of flesh does not equate to a physical pound.
Danny // March 31, 2009 at 1:31 am |
Actually.. it said that he gave one of the individuals a piece of his liver. Wasn’t that the hockey coach?
Marsha // April 3, 2009 at 10:20 pm |
I am suprised no one thought about the possibility that Tim may have inpregnated her during the love scene. I believed he loved her but had to complete his mission. If he was to leave her, why not bonded with a child?
I like the lessons.
debbiedowner // April 6, 2009 at 5:10 am |
the venom of a box jellyfish is considered to be among the most deadly in the world, containing toxins that attack the heart, nervous system, and skin cells. It is so overpoweringly painful, human victims have been known to go into shock and drown or die of heart failure before even reaching shore. Survivors can experience considerable pain for weeks and often have significant scarring where the tentacles made contact.
Sarah // April 7, 2009 at 3:26 am |
so still you didn’t answer the question Karen asked, as to what the present tim was going to give emily…
EasyRider // April 7, 2009 at 6:29 am |
I thought the movie was very inspirational as to be more giving and not so selfish. I loved the movie and whoever is looking so deeply into the medical facts just can it and just see the movie for what it really is “beautiful”
chazrusso // April 7, 2009 at 7:02 am |
totally agree with you easyrider…its sad that some people just cant grasp selflessness or making your wrongs, right anymore. great point…
rickymd // April 8, 2009 at 8:12 pm |
human liver 4.5 pounds
human heart 10-12 ounces
human eyes a couple grams
human lung 11 pounds
human liver 3 pounds (he only gave part of this)
conclusion:
he gave life to 7 and took life from 8 (his own life)
chazrusso // April 8, 2009 at 8:37 pm |
“He gave life to 7 and took life from 8 (his own life)”–this is true rickymd. I kinda see it like this: If that was me, I’d know my life was over (figuratively) the second I lost everything and took everything from others as well. Just the concept of knowing you don’t want to go on with life (literally), but also knowing you have to right your wrongs before you do so. True redemption & sacrifice…
myst3ryy66 // April 11, 2009 at 10:44 am |
I think its titled “Seven Pounds” because thats typically how much a new born baby weighs. Idk it could be anything, if i made a movie i would give it a secret meaning that only close friends and family would understand.
Reggie // April 26, 2009 at 5:11 am |
Karen,
The gift for Emily:
Well, one obvious gift was his repair of the printing press. I don’t recall a literal gift in a box, or anything like that. (Obviously there was the heart, as well.)
Pastor of the Master // May 2, 2009 at 6:41 pm |
Just read the majority of your comments through (interesting stuff). My family & I all watched the movie last night & were powerfully touched. And, as a Pastor, I preached a sermon this Sunday that compared “Seven Pounds” & the main character “Tim” to Jesus as being the Good Shepherd in John’s Gospel, chapter 10. Read it & compare for yourself & see if you don’t find some connections. The reference would be John 10:9-18. Enjoy!
Millie /PR // May 3, 2009 at 3:15 pm |
It was simple, he cann’t live with the guilt, so he decide to save the seven persons he killed in the accident, well, seven differents person, but still the point is tha he doesn’t want to live anymore and before he dies want to feel better in someway.
Millie /PR // May 3, 2009 at 3:48 pm |
oh, another thing, the song that Emily claim was her favorite, the dance part, part of the song mention Shakespeare. For those who gave the explanation of the title; The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.. that was interesting.
THE PRESENT HE GAVE HER // May 10, 2009 at 5:11 am |
When he went back to his car to get the present (when his brother showed up) the package was the perfect shape – perfectly square and really flat – to be a record. I think he knew she had a record player and was bringing her a record!
I was really curious about the meaning of the title – so these comments are really interesting.
I also agree that Tim gave Ezra is whole eyes – because of the color and also because it seemed like Emily’s character went on purpose to look for them – sometimes you do anything when you really miss someone. Also, Ezra’s eyes weren’t necessarily blue before. I’ve seen a lot of blind dogs that used to have brown eyes and then develop opaque blue eyes due to thickening of the lens. So thats probably why they looked that way. I’m not a doctor so don’t freak out if I’m wrong – I’m a vet student.
robbie // May 12, 2009 at 8:39 pm |
so who’s eyes did Ezra get was it bens or the guy that said he would keep the promise he made ben?
amana // May 17, 2009 at 10:06 am |
no these were ben’s eyes, because remember just before ben died he called the blind guy and told him that he will give him a gift because he deserved it,,and at the very end of the movie where emily went to see the little kids singing, she followed him and just stared at his eyes, these were ben’s eye,,,
evika // May 20, 2009 at 2:21 am |
There is no such thing like eye transplant yet.
It had to be the cornea only, even though it showed BLACK. (The IRIS has only color, not the cornea.)
I came here because I didn’t understand the title either. This movie is one hour longer than necessary. After that would be a good film.
Thanks for the explanations, everybody.
Sherry Berry Sanders // May 24, 2009 at 7:00 am |
I think it was a beautiful movie with a powerful message we all could learn from. It dealt with many issues, cell phone usage and driving, family and work, guilt, depression, redemption, selflessness, giving, being a good person, helping others, purpose, having a plan and sticking to it and love. I saw so much in this movie. It touched me deeply. Hope all who saw this movie learn from the many the points it makes and become better idividuals and live selfless lives. I believe we all have the power to improve other people’s lives. Let’s do that. God bless all who read this, to make that committment. In the words of the song, If i can help somebody as i travel along, then my living wont be in vain. God has a plan for all our lives and even if we mess up, there is a way for redemption!
jess // May 27, 2009 at 11:54 pm |
Hi, Will Smith explained on spanish TV program “El Hormiguero” that 7 pounds was meant to Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice in the sense of “One pound of flesh for a pound of flesh” (at Spain it was named 7 souls). The interview is on youtube (tag will smith hormiguero).
By the way, any idea of what was the present he didn’t give to Emily? It seemed to me like a LP record…
Barry // May 31, 2009 at 11:23 pm |
I think Tim was contemplating staying alive to be with Emily but after talking to the Doctor and hearing that Emily’s chance of finding a donor match were 3% to 5%… he was heartbroken (no pun intended) but determined to carry on with his original plan.
Jon R // June 21, 2009 at 6:24 am |
Great comments here. I found a couple symbols not mentioned;
7 pounds – Of course, a reference to merchant of venice as discussed, supported by Emilys favorite song mentioning shakespere… but like all good symbolic titles, there are multiple meanings
-When someone dies, it has been shown that they immidiately loose 7 lbs.. some say its the weight of the soul, so the title 7 lbs was about the weight of tims soul, which is all that survived after he gave everything else.
-Human skin weighs 7 lbs too, so its like saying he gave others the ’skin off his own back’
-may be some significance to 7 lbs being the weight of a newborn ‘innocent’ baby
-possible significance of 7 deadly ‘unforgivable’ sins, just a he couldn’t forgive himself
-a telephone number! to send a txt message, you have to ‘pound’ seven digits, or seven #- pound sign. the whole movie is about what happened after seven #’s were dialed.
Also, no one he mentioned the vegitarian, vegan theme. I think tim liked people who didn’t want other creatures to die so that they might live, but didn’t mind feeding others meat. Emily was a vegan, but fed her nerse eggs – ezra was a vegan, but sold others meat – even tim fed the jellyfish a fish. the point is sacrificing yourself for others, but not allowing others to sacrifice for you.
Another theme I picked up on was earth-moon. tim spent his whole career wanting to send people to the moon, but he died trying to keep a few of them on earth.
Just to chime in on a couple other comments, I don’t think the old lady was being molested, just purposefully neglected. Tim said he needed to treat people with dignity.
I also think that a really significant point in the movie was when he fixed her old press. She had given it up for dead, and he brought it back to life… just like herself
Also, I first thought his gift was going to be a record, but then remember he told her to stay right there, in the press room, which makes me think it was some cards he wanted her to make for him… mabey their wedding invites, or maybe the letters he was going to use to send to everyone he was helping, who knows.
the symbolism of her job being ‘joining two hearts’ is neat. I also forgot that she mentioned great danes only live 7 years; another recurrence of the # 7. Also, I was just throwing around the significance of the banana peel… these are supposed to make you slip, like he slipped in the car, but then they helped the plants grow… ok, mabey a little to far fetched.
Such a good movie – I love it when they make you think.
chazrusso // June 22, 2009 at 1:43 pm |
Haha…..you sure you didn’t help write the movie Jon?! These associations, whether on purpose or not, are amazing. Will Smith was on a talk show over seas recently (I think in Spain–not sure) and he confirmed that the title, the whole theme was derived from The Merchant of Venice. But this stuff you shared is good stuff!! I personally love the idea of the vegan themes and the earth-moon theme……thanks for bringing these points up. I agree–I love things that really make you think. There’s not enough of it these days….