Seven Pounds (2008)

Directed by Gabriele Muccino. Starring Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Michael Ealy, Barry Pepper, Woody Harrelson, Elpidia Carrillo, Robinne Lee, Judyann Elder, Tim Kelleher. (R)

Gimmick-bound road map of anguish charting the enigmatic activities of a seemingly benevolent IRS agent (Smith), as he contacts—stalks, more like—various principals impaired in some way (blind, bad heart, abusive boyfriend, etc.). Vaguely off-putting and somber to the point of stagnancy, the actors struggle to breathe life into their characters, bound as they are by the contrived script structure. It’s clear pretty quickly what he’s planning to do, but it’s a mystery as to why; once that mystery is solved, however, whatever small and optimistic chance there is for redemption is destroyed, and the head-slapping method in which it happens is the spoiled icing on the stale cake. The final ten minutes will be excruciating to anyone who doesn’t completely buy into its overcooked sentimentality (even die-hard fans of Kathleen York).

25/100