Seven Pounds

Seven Pounds

Year: 2008

Runtime: 123 min

Language: English

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Budget: $55M

Drama

Haunted by a tragic past, Ben Thomas seeks atonement by secretly orchestrating a plan to help seven people. His mission to improve their lives takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Emily, a woman battling a serious heart condition. As Ben helps Emily and others, he finds himself developing feelings for her, leading to a complex and emotional journey of self-discovery and redemption.

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Seven Pounds (2008) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Seven Pounds (2008), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

The story unfolds with Tim, who makes a shocking call to 911 to report his suicide. Two years prior, a tragic incident occurred when Tim Thomas, portrayed by Will Smith, sent a text message while driving, leading to a catastrophic car accident that claimed the lives of seven individuals, including his fiancée, Sarah Jenson (portrayed by Robinne Lee).

In his quest for redemption, Tim embarks on an extraordinary journey to save the lives of seven deserving people, although the clarity of this mission only dawns upon him towards the film’s conclusion. Throughout his journey, Tim repeatedly acknowledges the names of the seven victims—an essential reminder of the lives he irrevocably altered.

One year post-accident, having left his position as an aeronautical engineer, Tim selflessly donates a portion of his lung to his brother, Ben, portrayed by Michael Ealy, who works for the IRS. Six months later, he donates part of his liver to Holly (played by Judyann Elder), a social services worker. Motivated by a desire to help further, Tim takes it upon himself to find additional candidates for organ donation.

He identifies George (performed by Bill Smitrovich), a junior hockey coach, to whom he provides a kidney, and he also donates bone marrow to a young boy, Nicholas (portrayed by Quintin Kelley). Utilizing his brother’s IRS credentials unlawfully, he gathers intel on potential recipients, visiting their workplaces and homes to assess their worthiness for his life-giving gifts.

Tim’s investigation leads him to Stewart Goodman (played by Tim Kelleher), a manager at an assisted living facility who is seeking a bone marrow transplant. However, upon discovering Stewart’s unethical practices—such as purchasing a new luxury car while cutting costs at the facility, negatively impacting the elderly residents—Tim decides against helping him after witnessing an emotional interaction with a distressed patient.

As his time dwindles, Tim reaches out to Holly for recommendations on individuals who might deserve assistance. She introduces him to Connie Tepos (played by Elpidia Carrillo), a woman enduring an abusive relationship. Initially rejected by Connie when he offers help, Tim relocates to a nearby motel with his pet box jellyfish. However, following a night of violence at home, Connie reaches out to Tim, leading to her and her children moving into his beach house, which he gifts to them.

With his brother’s credentials still in hand, Tim evaluates candidates for his final donations. His first choice is Ezra Turner (portrayed by Woody Harrelson), a blind meat salesman who is known for playing the piano. In a calculated test of Ezra’s character, Tim confronts him at work, attempting to provoke anger. Remarkably, Ezra maintains his composure amidst the insults, prompting Tim to deem him a worthy recipient.

Next, Tim finds himself drawn to Emily Posa (played by Rosario Dawson), a greeting card designer suffering from a heart condition and a rare blood type. Under the pretense of being from the IRS, he approaches Emily, revealing her tax issues while knowing that her health is precarious. A compassionate gesture follows as Tim marks her tax accounts as noncollectable to give her some breathing room. Their bond deepens as he helps her with her garden and rare printing press.

As Emily’s health declines and she is admitted to the hospital, Tim realizes that he must make his donation soon, especially since she has only a few weeks left before her heart fails. Complications arise when Ben tracks Tim down, demanding the return of his IRS credentials. After a tender moment with Emily, Tim returns to the motel, fills a bathtub with ice water to preserve his organs, and ultimately makes the fateful decision to end his life, bringing his box jellyfish into the water with him.

Tim’s friend, Dan (Barry Pepper), ensures that Tim’s organs are donated to the intended recipients: Ezra receives corneas, and Emily receives Tim’s heart. The narrative concludes with Emily and Ezra crossing paths during a concert, hinting at the new beginnings that arise from Tim’s selfless actions.

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 21:11

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Characters atoning for a tragic past through a profound, life-altering sacrifice.If you were moved by the profound sacrifice in Seven Pounds, explore these movies about characters seeking atonement. These dramas feature heavy emotional journeys, driven by guilt and culminating in a redemptive, often bittersweet, finale that leaves a lasting impact.

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