- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Will Smith says Obama inauguration not revolution but evolution
- Date: 15th January 2009
- Summary: VARIOUS OF SMITH ARRIVING AND SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS AND TAKING PICTURES SMITH SPEAKING TO PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) WILL SMITH, SAYING: "I play Ben Thomas and Ben Thomas is trying to find seven people whose lives he wants to change for an awful sin he committed but you have to see the film to see what the awful sin was and he meets Rosario Dawson's character and there's a fantastic 'Sixth Sense' ending to it."
- Embargoed: 30th January 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVA8V50IU7GJLQFR2P08ARRS135S
- Story Text: Will Smith attended the UK premiere of his new emotional drama "Seven Pounds" on Tuesday.
Smith teamed up again with "Pursuit of Happyness"
director Gabriele Muccino for the heart-wrenching drama.
"I play Ben Thomas and Ben Thomas is trying to find seven people whose lives he wants to change for an awful sin he committed but you have to see the film to see what the awful sin was and he meets Rosario Dawson's character and there's a fantastic 'Sixth Sense' ending to it," Smith told Reuters Television.
But the global superstar said his wife, actress Jada Pinckett-Smith wasn't particular of the character.
"Yeah you know Jada didn't really like Ben Thomas. This character was very different from me and very different for me to understand and put me in very awkward emotional positions."
Smith opens the film by making a 911 call to report his own suicide.
Tracking back in time, his Ben Thomas calls on a series of local people whose names are on a list of potential "candidates." All are in need of help -- in some instances the need is dire. He flashes the badge of an IRS agent, but not all of his calls are tax-related.
Smith, upon leaving Europe after a promotional whirlwind tour of the film, will be attending Barack Obama's inauguration on January 20. When asked how America's first black president can change the U.S. and the world, the actor said he already has.
"This is evolutionary it's not just revolutionary, it's evolutionary. It's never before in the history of the planet has a group of people moved from the slave class of an empire to be elected to the top spot so 70 per cent of his work is already done."
Seven Pounds opens in UK cinemas on Friday (January 16). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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