Movie Review of 7 Pounds

This weekend, I watched Seven Pounds on the recommendation of my neighbor.  What an interesting film.  It has stirred up a number of thoughts and responses in me over the past few days which I would like to share.  There appear to be two drastically divergent points of view that could be taken on the movie.  On the critical side, the main character, Ben Thomas (played by Will Smith), suffers emotionally after a devastating vehicle accident in which he was at fault and the lives of 7 people were lost, including his fiancée.  As a result, he is unable to continue living and hatches a plan to commit suicide but in a manner that leaves his organs (eyes & heart) to 'good' people.  Along the way, Ben has been donating other vital organs (Lung, Liver, Kidney, Bone Marrow) and his home to "worthy" people who are "good" and deserve a better life than the one they have been given.  Under this vantage point, there is no forgiveness of sins, and the only way to pay for one's wrongs is with one's very life. Additionally there is the trouble of determining who is worthy and who is not.  Essentially, the protagonist is in the place of God and is playing God determining value based upon our actions, a thought many reformed believers would consider doctrinally in error.

However, the movie can also be viewed from a redemptive perspective.  In this view a man is intent on giving others a better life. He is willing to spare no cost, even giving to others his very organs, those things which bring him life.  Like Christian salvation in Christ, the recipients don't get to pick their salvation, they are picked by another.  And like Christ, the hero falls in love with one of his donor recipients and ultimately must choose between himself and saving her.  He chooses others and kills himself in a manner that renders all his organs fully usable for those who need them.  Literally, he has poured out his life for his neighbors.  While every analogy breaks down, and this one is no different, the lesson to be drawn can be quite startling, "How much of myself am I willing to give in order for another to live?"  What does it mean to "deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Christ?"

To answer that question, each of us must search our soul and the Scriptures and come to a conclusion.  However the words, "Spend yourself on behalf of the poor" from Isaiah 58:10 might serve as a point of departure along with the very life and death of Christ for those wanting to answer this question.  While I am still uncomfortable landing wholeheartedly in either perspective, I am indebted to Hollywood for producing a film that truly stirs deep questions about life, death and sacrificial love.  I heartily recommend it to each of you to watch.

Note: Parents, this is not a film for young children and should be viewed prior to watching it with your teens.  Although, I think the conversations which would surely follow among parents and older teens after viewing it would be worthwhile, you need to know what you are getting into first.