tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21082552.post8883832501405506677..comments2024-03-05T02:14:39.266-07:00Comments on Strange Culture: Seven Pounds: The Psuedo-Redemption I Can't HandleRChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11340006144797496514noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21082552.post-40056969294118539212009-09-24T09:52:58.468-06:002009-09-24T09:52:58.468-06:00I agree with what you're saying, Bennett. I th...I agree with what you're saying, Bennett. I think Ben's character was trying to do more good (giving major organs to 3 individuals, thus saving 3 lifes) than he had done bad (by killing his fiance, and really, himself.) For me Ben's actions also pointed to the importance of living and sharing life with other people. Other than his brother that he did not communicate with, it didn't seem that Ben had anyone in his life that was caring enough to see how he was doing.<br /><br />I know 'community' has been a buzz word in Christian circles for the last 5ish years, and I think all peoples desire for community is really being shown through pop culture today. Our desire for a "third place" to visit with friends (Starbucks, Panera, etc), and even that new TV show with the title Community... <br /><br />On a lighter and embrassing note...I actually never saw any previews for this movie and, from the title, I think I always assumed it was talking about drugs. Which just goes to show how little about drugs I probably know because 7 pounds is probably a lot of drugs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21082552.post-71422023047588697812009-09-23T10:31:09.695-06:002009-09-23T10:31:09.695-06:00I agree and disagree. I agree that it was not a t...I agree and disagree. I agree that it was not a true redemption story. However, I thought that was kinda the point. To me the film expresses the humanist notion that there really is no such thing as redemption. I don't know if that's what they were going for. Also, since films are collaborative and there are conflicting motives in the process it's hard to say there was one message.<br />I think Ben Thomas was searching for value. He had built a world where he felt he was valuable, but when his efforts utterly failed he didn't turn to any outside relationship for help. He took it on himself to attain value in the only way he could. In a sense he was saying, "I have no emotional or spiritual value, but at least my flesh can be seen as valuable to others." The twist came when he started to love again and found value in the human relationship. Ironically he found that relationship to be impossible and again his flesh was more valuable than what he had to offer relationally. Or was it that he could not bear any more pain?<br /><br />He was weak. But why do we think so? He did something heroic. You and I have a worldview, though, that says pain is not the ultimate evil. Pain itself can be redemptive, but only in relationship to Christ. Only by identifying with His pain can pain/evil/disorder make sense. So Ben Thomas was showing hubris by thinking he could make amends for his mistake (a simple driving mistake that can happen to anyone at any time) by sacrificing himself. I think the world's response is, "It's better than nothing."<br /><br />We know better.Dadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12720231599785798340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21082552.post-76850931343700893682009-09-22T23:30:48.513-06:002009-09-22T23:30:48.513-06:00Haven't seen Seven Pounds yet... loved Rachel ...Haven't seen <i>Seven Pounds</i> yet... loved <i>Rachel Getting Married</i>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05723441382492805800noreply@blogger.com