Monday, December 15, 2008

Woody Harrelson plays blind in "Seven Pounds"

From Variety:

Opening Dec. 19, "Seven Pounds" tells the story of Ben Thomas (Smith), an engineer posing as an IRS agent who aims to right past wrongs by helping seven strangers in need, one of whom, played by Rosario Dawson, he unexpectedly falls in love with. Woody Harrelson (pictured) brings a gentle humanity to the character of a blind pianist, and Barry Pepper gives his small but critical role a soul-searching intensity.

The film functions on many levels: It's a love story, but it's also a philosophical exploration of what makes life meaningful, and the consequences of selfishness versus selflessness. It's something of a mystery as well, unfolding right up to the end as the enormity of Thomas' situation is revealed.

Be warned: "Seven Pounds" is also, in the parlance of Hollywood, a real three-hankie weeper. In fact Dawson's mother, after seeing an early clip, suggested that Kleenex might want to sponsor the film. "She said they should just give you a pack of tissues when you pick up your ticket!" laughs the actress, whose character, Emily Posa, suffers from congenital heart disease.