Seven Pounds is a feature film by Italian director Brill Muccino and American film star Will Smith. The two had previously collaborated on a biographical film, When Happiness Comes Knocking, which was well received. Therefore, this film is considered to be the work of the two in order to impact the Oscars.
It is a film that expresses self-redemption. Tim, the male protagonist played by Will Smith, caused a major traffic accident in which seven people, including his wife, died because of his own negligence. Under this severe blow, in order to make up for the pain of the heart, in real life, Tim saved seven people by donating his own house and donating his own organs, so that they could get out of danger, and he also died with the process of salvation.
The film was named "Seven Pounds" for two reasons:
One is that, as stated at the beginning of the film, it took God seven days to create man, and it only took me seven seconds to destroy my own world. This seven seconds is the seven seconds of the male protagonist's traffic accident to look at the mobile phone.
Second, "Seven Pounds" also comes from the classic play "The Merchant of Venice". In this classic play, the protagonist Antonio borrows From Sherlock for his own pound of flesh to help his friends. At this moment, Tim is helping seven people, so the meat he wants to sacrifice should be "Seven Pounds".
Since the release of this film, it has caused a lot of controversy. Critics believe that the film is simply to impact the Oscars, resulting in the main creators to exert too much force. The whole work gives people a mysterious, obscure and dark feeling. Most of the film is a pile of plots, without any logic. This gives the viewer a drowsy feeling.
Critics argue that the film reflects the transformation of sin and redemption in religion, intriguing and sobering. The plot accumulation in the first half of the film is actually an internal logic. Moreover, this is a process of laying the groundwork, and the more rigorous the laying, the stronger the shock at the end. Although this movie hit the Oscars, it is still a good movie, and Douban gave 8.1 points, which fully illustrates the problem.
So today, I will deeply analyze the success and shortcomings of this film from the three aspects of the film's unique narrative method, the philosophical basis of character shaping, and the film's exploration of the meaning of life, so that the audience can more accurately understand the profound connotation that the creators want to express.
<h1 class = "pgc-h-arrow-right" >01, interprets the drama film with the structure of the suspense film, enhancing the shock of the plot, but the suspense is not revealed until the end, which also makes the first half of the film slightly dull</h1>
This drama features a unique narrative approach that makes the whole film full of suspense, which comes from the director's skillful control of the film language. The beginning of the film is the link where Tim prepares to commit suicide, giving the audience a sense of heaviness at the same time, but also achieving the purpose of attracting the audience. But then, the director began to deliberately cover up the mystery. So Tim berates the meat salesman Ezra and finds Emily according to Tussoji. Next, Tim appears in the nursing home and clashes with Goodman. Leaving the nursing home, the camera immediately jumps to the golf course, where Tim is going to meet his best friend Dan...
All kinds of seemingly unrelated plots are maintained by internal logic. Even for every character who appears, we will find its foothold at the end of the film. Like what
Tim's good friend Dan, when we saw him for the second time, was arguing with Tim in tears and finally reluctantly assured him that everything would go according to plan. At the end of the film, we see Dan after going through the organ donation procedures for the deceased Tim.
Similarly, Tim went to the Information Inquiry Center to meet with Holly. It seems that the two have a very close relationship, and there is even a group photo. What's even more strange is that Holly actually used her work to query tim for information. The announcement of this answer is also only seen at the end of the film, and Tim has actually donated his own liver for Holly.
In the first half of the film, the director really deliberately created suspense and paved the way for the climax of the plot later. In this way, you can bring the greatest shock to the audience. More importantly, such a plot layout is indeed more in line with the character's mental journey.
During this time, Tim has donated half of his lungs to his brother, half his liver to Holly, a kidney to the hockey coach, and agreed with his good friend Dan to be responsible for donating his organs after death. These things, including selection and donations, do seem cluttered for a person without any experience. For Tim, all his donations are merely the redemption of his sinful souls, and there is nothing in itself worthy of boasting. Tim just had to calm down and handle it all.
Seven lives were lost under his wheels, and he carried too much guilt. This forced him to frequently select recipients, identifying their personalities and actual needs. He didn't need to explain it to anyone, he just needed to complete his task silently and step by step.
For example, in the film, when Tim has tried to test Ezra to become a recipient of his cornea, he turns away expressionlessly. Also when I decided to donate a kidney for the hockey coach, I was expressionless. In fact, these were all part of Tim's self-redemption process, and Tim was completely free from the joys and sorrows of the world.
However, this movie is not a suspense film after all, and there is no thrilling plot or tense fight to attract the audience. The main line of the film is tightly held in the hands of the director, and the audience cannot find a focus for their attention, which can easily lead to the audience being confused. Tim appears in every scene, but he can't string these episodes together in its entirety through superficial logic. Even his name, whether it should be Tim or Ben, is confusing. This also made some viewers feel that the first half of the film was dull and exciting.
<h1 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" >02, psychologist Freud's theory of personality includes three main parts: the original self, the self, and the superego. This also became the basis for Tim's character development in the film</h1>
In terms of character building, this film also perfectly reflects Freud's personality theory. That is, the process of transformation between the personality in the ego, the ego and the superego. So, how did Freud explain the theory of personality?
The original self is a newborn person, and at this time it is more of a beastly nature. It is manifested in the pursuit of pleasure with the goal of survival, and without scruples.
The emergence of the self is the result of social progress. Although the self evolved from the original self, he pays more attention to the limitations of objective conditions, which is learned by the day after tomorrow, and is also one of the differences between humans and animals.
The superego is the moralized me, the idealized me. The constituents of the superego include social norms, personal lofty ideals, and inner aspirations.
In the film, Tim's series of tribulations fully explain the opposition between the self and the superego, and eventually lead to his return to the self.
(1) The prominence of the original self leads to a car accident, and Tim transforms into a superego in order to complete his self-redemption
As an elite class with a smooth and proud workplace, Tim, who drives a luxury car, has embodied more of his own characteristics, legal and other behavioral constraints in seven seconds, which has been completely ignored at this time. As a result, he can laugh with his girlfriend and receive text messages on his phone. Therefore, it has led to the occurrence of vicious traffic accidents. Seven people, including their girlfriend, were killed in the accident.
After this drastic change, Tim, who escaped from death, gradually transformed into a superego in order to achieve self-redemption. The concrete form is reflected in the fact that he has actively carried out a number of assistance activities for people in distress. Whether it's to his brother, to the hockey coach, or to Holly, Tim's donation is self-forgetful. He had only one purpose, to donate seven people, even with his own lives.
And this kind of donation that costs one's life is, of course, opposed by relatives and friends. That's why Tim's friend Dan argues with him with tears in his eyes. Ben, the younger brother who had received Tim's donation, should have been grateful to Dade, but he also had a rough argument with Tim and even took back his car. All of this is because they don't want Tim to donate so "desperately" anymore, they don't want to lose their loved ones and friends.
Tim's act of aiding the superego is itself a form of self-redemption. The names of the seven people who died in the traffic accident have always been in Tim's mind, lingering. And before Tim donated every time, the once bloody accident scene was constantly flashing back. All the hesitation and wandering were erased by this painful memory, which also made Tim more determined.
(2) The transformation from the superego to the self is because of love
Tim's superego's act of aid has also been regulated by his own ethics, which has led to his personality requirements for the recipients of donations. He can make sure to donate his kidney to this upright hockey coach by calming down the dispute between the players on both sides on the hockey rink. Similarly, through his own investigation, he found that Goodman, one of the recipients of the donation, was a scumbag. Therefore, the donation was decisively suspended. All of this is also the idealization of Tim's own requirements.
If Tim donates his property, his own bone marrow, and even his cornea are the embodiment of the superego, then the next time Tim donates his heart, it is the embodiment of his return to "self".
Tim's return to the ego begins with love. This caused him to fall from the sky to mortal dust, from an angel to an ordinary person. And the sacrifice made by an ordinary person is precisely the most touching.
Originally, Emily was only one of several recipients chosen by Tim, but during a limited number of contacts, Emily gradually developed a crush on Tim as an uninvited guest, and Tim found herself in love with the simple and kind girl.
Tim is actively practicing the superego, but he is not superhuman. Every time he chose to leave Emily, it was hard to hide his pain. So he took the initiative to go to Emily's house, help pull grass, and even repair Emily's old printing press. As the two men's feelings heated up, Tim compromised on his own. At this time, Tim has gradually returned from the superego to the ego.
(3) The self is the most true me, and to love you is to love yourself
The return of the self makes Tim lose the sense of holiness of the past, but on the contrary, he has more breath of life. He suddenly realized that if he could take care of Emily for the rest of her life, wouldn't it also be a kind of salvation? So there is a plot in which the heart is completely occupied by love, and in the rainy night, he rushes to the hospital to find the answer.
But doctors at the hospital gave him a desperate answer: Emily's life lasted up to six weeks, and she was only two percent more likely to get a heart transplant. This is undoubtedly a death sentence. Tim, who was back in the rain again, calmed down. He knew that the plan he had made at the beginning could not change anymore and would continue to be implemented. Tim will sacrifice himself and give his heart to Emily.
At this time, Tim's heart has no moral constraints and has lost his lofty ideals. He wants to save not the stranger on the list, but the real, his lover. At that time, he could not save his lover from the car accident, and now, he has the opportunity to let his lover live healthily.
Ordinary individuals like Tim embody more "harm avoidance" in themselves. In the face of numerous social rules, the ego tends to think more about the dangers posed by actions before making judgments in its favor. And Tim, who returns to himself, of course, his judgment also chooses "harm avoidance".
Only at this time, the subject of his choice is not himself, but his lover Emily. Therefore, if he wants to win the life of his lover, he can only choose to sacrifice himself. It is precisely for this reason that at the end, when Tim puts himself in ice water and lets the beautiful jellyfish kill himself, it brings a huge shock to the audience.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >03, the film shows the whole process of Tim saving others and redeeming himself. At a deeper level, we also see the director's thinking on the value of life</h1>
This film has always expressed the theme of life and death, and the discussion of the value of life has always been contained in the plot, which has become a positive reflection on this film.
(1) Respect for life
In the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the no-man's land of Coco Xili, with an average altitude of more than 4,600 meters, is inhabited by Tibetan antelope, a national first-class protected animal, and up to 230 species of other wild animals. As part of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, there is a Qingshuihe Special Bridge with a total length of more than 10,000 meters. The design of this bridge was specially built for tibetan antelopes to successfully pass through the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and complete their migration. This humanized design concept reflects the respect for life.
Life is born equal to life. Anyone deserves to be respected, and no one can easily deny others or even take their lives. In Tim's heart, he was also occupied by this kind of thinking. Therefore, when he caused a car accident that resulted in the death of seven people, Tim should bear the corresponding criminal and civil liability. And after completing the punishment imposed by the law, Tim has the right to live like ordinary people.
For the rest of his life, whether it was muddy or refined, no one would question his choice. It's just that Tim can never go back to the past, because in his heart he has always believed that he has repented of his life in seven seconds. For this, he needs to bear the responsibility, which is not a punishment prescribed by law, and can help him get rid of it.
We can see a person's cultivation in his respect for life. Precisely because we know the difficulties of life in the world, we should maintain sufficient respect for ourselves and the lives of others. Whether others are in trouble or in danger, we should lend a helping hand. That's what a person who truly respects life should do.
The seven lives in the film who died in a car accident have become Tim's nightmare. The names of the seven men were haunted in Tim's mind all the time. Tim never could forgive himself, he didn't want to live like the walking dead. There is no other way, only by relying on one's own efforts to save seven more lives facing the dilemma of life and death, can we completely liberate ourselves.
Life may have its own lengths, but it is never precious. We can't buy it in any currency, much less measure it by any measure.
In this film, Tim's religious background and educational experience are not explained, but it is clear that Tim's respect for life is still commendable. We have even approved that he donated his property, half a lung, half a liver and even a kidney. Because, Tim can do this, has been able to wash away his sins, win a calm mind and continue to live. But when he insisted on using his life to complete the final redemption, it was still extremely shocking.
(2) About the value of life
Confucius's apprentice, Zilu, was known for his bravery. Wei civil unrest, Zilu threw down a sentence "those who eat his food do not take refuge", risking death to return to Weiguo. In the Weiguozi Road and the High Platform of Pu Xuan, He did not listen to his advice. Zi Lu wanted to burn his platform, but he was afraid and ordered the erlus to kill him. During the fight, Zilu's hat belt was broken. Confucius once taught, "When a gentleman dies, the crown is inevitable", so Zilu stopped to tidy up the hat belt, and as a result, he was killed.
This story has evolved into different interpretations in later generations. More people laughed at his return to the defense of the country, which was actually a moth to put out the fire. And the front to finish the hat belt is even more pedantic. But we return to the initial stage of the matter, zilu returned to china to fight the rulers, and died to defend justice, which is really heroic. And Zilu at the juncture of life and death, he did not forget to sort out the hat belt, indicating that in Zilu's heart, only if etiquette and morality do not collapse, the hope of the country will still exist, and even if this body dies, there is no regret. This is the value of life embodied by a warrior.
Everyone's life, like a meteor in the vast universe, hastily slipped by and never returned. But we can still see that the stars in the night sky are brilliant and indelible. It is the great ideas and noble qualities of the deceased that shine brightly.
In the film, when Emily hugs Tim and plays a "hypothetical" game, "Suppose we have kids and we're married..." That's Tim's hope. It was with this hope that Tim died generously, not for his own salvation, but for his lover to live. As Tim's body convulses in pain in the tub, we can even feel that his psyche at the moment is satisfied. Because, her own pain can be exchanged for Emily's pager, and soon there will be a healthy heart beating in her chest.
The kings of history understood immortality as immortality in the flesh. And Tim in the film almost hollowed out his body. But his death is still immortal. Giving for others in distress, for the sake of loved ones on the brink of death, the value of Tim's life is maximized.
In our ordinary human world, there may not be as much drama, but we can still draw inspiration from Tim's actions. In our daily lives, whether we can consider for others and whether we can extend our own helping hand in times of crisis for others. The value of our lives is also reflected in this nine-to-five and three meals a day.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > written at the end:</h1>
I've seen all of Will Smith's films, but this one is the most intriguing. From self-redemption to dying for love; From the plot accumulation to the final answer revealed, whether it is from the film structure or the plot design, the main creative staff are unique.
In real life, many people want to be a noble person, but deep down, they are always ready to sell themselves for profit. He pursues art and talks about ideals, but he never leaves a little care for ideals. And this movie portrays a loser who loses at the starting line, a loser who starts with a negative score. But before him, the path of redemption was filled with happiness and hope.