Review of Se7en (1995) by Timothy S — 13 Nov 2013

Got around to watching this film again and appreciated some aspects of it more. Beyond the macabre mystery at the center of it, there's a decent look into the conflicting goals and values of Morgan Freeman's character, and how the events of the film shape his perspective. Brad Pitt's character is fairly well written despite being a bit of a cliche, someone intelligent and perceptive seeking recognition, but too naive to know his limits.

The vigilante with a messiah complex angle isn't quite as insightful as it's meant to be, though Kevin Spacey plays the killer as convincingly smug and disturbed. The production design is maybe a bit one-note and unsubtle, spelling out the grotesque rot of modern urban life in stylish detail, but it nonetheless managed to get under my skin enough to feel for the characters in the film.