Review of Se7en (1995) by Aaron C — 09 Feb 2015

Seven was a film that I just happened to watch when I was 14 because my mom decided said that this looks fun. I cannot entirely recall my experience during that time because I wasn't so much interested in cinema, instead putting all of my efforts in music. It was a year ago when I started to appreciate this film a lot more, understanding a lot more on what it was trying to tell me. Maturity and an increase awareness of one's environment can really change one's perspective when rewatching a film, and Seven was a great example of that.

The film was written by Andrew Kevin Walker, who has written for films including 8MM and Sleepy Hollow. Walker has written a well made thriller with multiple layers detailing the current condition of our society. Walker has stated that the people in this world have given up in trying to be virtuous and that it would be much simpler to not resist to temptation. Walker seems to shine back the reality onto our faces and it is from then we make a decision for ourselves whether we agree or not with his "opinion". Walker has created two detectives as our protagonist who has polarising views on the condition the society, with one about to retire and the other just starting out. Instead of just making these characters typical and one dimensional, Walker has made them into symbols of virtue and sin. Detective Mills would be a clear character to hate but the film sees him as a person who just needs proper direction, therefore not making him the main antagonist. Detective Somerset on the other hand represents the virtues that counter acts sin. He is the man that represents the highest form of humanity, a person who may have flaws but strives hard to be good. Through his eyes, we feel the tragedy of contemporary society and the exhaustion that is felt when trying to make it better. But he doesn't see the world as a lost hope, as it's still worth fighting for. If the film didn't go in this direction and relies on the plot in creating an impact on the audience, then this would have been just an average B-movie thriller. The film's driving plot is just as interesting as what is offered underneath. The chase of a man making a message to society about their disgusting status, due to god's will. The events that happen throughout the film were exciting and heart pounding but it never matches up with the intimate moments in the film, like Somerset, Mills and his wife's conversation at the dinner table or the car ride leading to the climax of the film. The film's dialogue is what kept me hooked, not it's action. The banter between the two leads is fantastic as it shapes so much of the character and keeps them from being too simplistic.

Seven is David Fincher's second film and his attempt to repair his reputation after the box office and critical slump, though now rejoiced by a strong following, Alien 3. It was this film that first showed that Fincher was going to be a big deal in the business. He wanted this film to be dark, and not give any sign of happiness. The film feels very depressing because we are not watching a fictionalised world like Blade Runner or Brazil, but instead uses reality. It is unsettling to see ourselves be seen in this light, feeling hopeless for redemption and anything and everything we do is seen as immoral. In creating this tone, Fincher wanted the city to be drenched by rain throughout most of the film. I think he wanted the rain, to be a metaphor for our sins, that constantly pours the streets of the city. A film likes this needs tension in order to completely sell the story and this film isn't short of it, he keeps the audience be at the same level as the protagonist and not be ahead of them in solving the mystery. Alien 3 has demonstrated the director's ability in handling it's characters and making each one stand out, but Seven takes that up a notch with much more concentration to it's protagonist as they are written with much more focus in this film. Fincher truly understood the themes of the film and made sure it stands out here. If you thought the religious elements on Alien 3 was pretty heavy, it's much more apparent here but it is handled much more tastefully in comparison to his first film. Seven is a much better film than Alien 3 because Fincher had much more control on how the film would turn out. The film's pacing was quite pleasing as he wanted the film to take it's time and develop it's characters. The film is an equilibrium of a story and a character driven film, as both aspects seem to rely on each other. Seven is also the start of Fincher's use of title sequences, as evidence in his later work, it proves that he likes to create something stylish and to set the tone of the film early on.

I haven't seen the other films that Darius Khondji have worked on but his photography here is definitely moody. This creates this unsettling tone which connects with the film's themes. The film's photography consists of dominating shadows, icy cold colors, and an overpouring of rain. This approach is intended to create this world of sin, kind of like a dark pit that can consume all of the faith and light in our souls. I don't think it is a direct influence but films like Blade Runner may have influenced the use of rain in this film, as both films seem to touch on aspects of society and both use it as a tool in creating the setting as a character of it's own. The film also uses low angles when the film shows the detectives together. I think this was to create a form of irony, as detectives are meant to always be ahead of the game and rarely show signs of fear and vulnerability, but our characters are heavily flawed and they never gain an opportunity to be one step ahead of the antagonist. Fincher wanted shots to drag on in order to create tension and to control the pace.

Pulsing drums and deep horns fill the score by Howard Shore. It aided, especially in the third act, in creating that thrilling atmosphere with the rising tension that constantly grasps the audience. I am familiar with Shore's work, notably The Lord of the Rings, The Aviator and Hugo, so I had a bit of expectation for his take on this film. It was great and can't think of anything that would improve it. The scene that highlights the best of his work is the climax of the film or the raid on the junkie's apartment.

As this film, to me, was character driven, it had to have actors who can give great performances. Both Pitt and Freeman give their all and have successfully stamped and defined their characters. Pitt, though, is the one I have to give more praise to as he played a role that was sympathised but also unlikable. Kevin Spacey was also fantastic to watch, especially when he was in the car with the two detectives. The banter between each other were great, and he displayed a presence of power. The rest of the supporting cast is underplayed to dominate the presence of these two leads but their performances were great.

It has been nearly 20 years since Seven was made and I don't see any signs of the film's power in impacting audiences, slowing down any time soon.