Looking back on Will Smith’s body of work, it’s clear that he is a more-than-capable actor in both action-oriented (“I am Legend,” “Hancock”) and dramatic roles, and of course, comedic ones (“Hitch,” “Focus”). But in Italian director Gabriele Muccino “Seven Pounds,” Smith is cast against type as a much more tragic character than we’re used to seeing.
In Muccino’s 2008 drama, Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent with a big secret. Ben is on a mission to be of service to seven total strangers in order to pay off a debt of penance. He blames himself for the death of his beloved wife because of some cellphone fumbling while driving.