The Will Smith Factor

Posted by Michael Dance

In 2006, Will Smith starred in a film called The Pursuit of Happyness, directed by Gabriele Muccino. It got mixed-to-positive reviews (66% positive on Rotten Tomatoes) but became such a hit (over $175 million in the U.S.), the Academy couldn't ignore it and gave Will Smith a Best Actor nomination.

Tomorrow, Seven Pounds comes out. It's another Smith/Muccino collaboration, another feel-good tearjerker. So far, the reviews have not been promising (36% positive with 25 reviews in), but I think Smith still has a shot.

Why? Because he's Will Smith. He's the only movie star left. I'm serious: he's the only star who can guarantee a blockbuster just through his involvement. Audiences were mixed on Hancock and it still made $214 million dollars in the U.S.

If the box office for Seven Pounds is similarly huge, it will become impossible to ignore.

Now, realistically speaking, it won't be that huge. It's not a summer movie. It's not an action movie. And all the publicity for the movie doesn't tell you what the movie's about. And it probably won't be as big a crowd-pleaser as Happyness. And it opens opposite Yes Man, Jim Carrey's big attempt to return to his Liar Liar heights.

But it's Will Smith. I'm fascinated at what the box office will turn out to be.

By the way, if you'll allow me my two cents, I saw a screening last night and liked it. Incredibly melodramatic, and manipulative, but it has a passion that very few movies have had this year. And yes, Smith is terrific.

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The Will Smith Factor

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