Review of Se7en (1995) by Swati — 12 Nov 2013

The dynamic between the young rookie and the experienced cop is caught very nicely. Both the leads (Freeman and Pitt) do not disappoint. They argue and protest against each others' theories and methods. Paltrow turned out a nice supporting performance. Kevin Spacey yet again amazed and enthralled with the finesse with which he captures the idiosyncrasies of his characters.

The cinematography was wonderful_ creating an atmosphere of claustrophobia, forcing people together who would rather prefer to remain cold and distant. The constant rains weigh down on the mood and that is exactly the feeling one should feel in a movie about a serial killer. The gore was unrepentantly included where it was absolutely required to get the right feeling for the scene. The movie never shies from the subject matter.

I wasn't very impressed with the ending the first time I watched it. I found it underwhelming in the light of all the awesome stuff that had preceded. The villain, however, was played with perfection. But I still thought some imagination could have gone into it. I don't mean that it should have been a happy ending. I just felt that it kind of fizzled out. It was only when I watched it afterwards that I accepted the director's vision. It was his movie and I had to accept it, and I began to see his vision as more realistic and logical. And then I realized that this movie was a masterpiece. It was pure perfection. The sense of depth and splendour it evokes makes me certain in my belief that this movie is a classic. It has to be David Fincher's best work.