Se7en Movie Review

Se7en [Seven] (1995)

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Written by: Andrew Kevin Walker
Directed by: David Fincher
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow, John C. McGinley, Reg E. Cathey, R. Lee Ermey, Richard Roundtree, Mark Boone Junior, Richard Schiff, Charles S. Dutton
Rated: R
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Plot
Two detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives.

Verdict
This is a murder mystery, with each crime more horrific than the last. What also sets this apart, is the production, directing, and an excellent script. Every scene has a purpose, building story and character. Each crime scene surprises and horrifies, but this case doesn't unfold in a typical fashion. While the ending is lauded, as well it should be, the entire movie is incredible. It's just that ending leaves you with so many feelings, an image imprinted on your mind.
Watch It.

Review
Few actors have had a string of upper tier movies without one that ranks average mixed in. This was part of Brad Pitt's run of movies that included Interview with the Vampire, Legends of the Fall, and 12 Monkeys. The only other actors that come to mind with a similar streak are Al Pacino with a streak that included The Godfather, Serpico, and Dog Day Afternoon and Robert De Niro who released a line of movies that included Brazil, The Untouchables, and Midnight Run.

This movie was Fincher's breakout after a decade of directing music videos. He pushed hard to retain the dark content and won despite the studio objecting to the ending of the movie. Reviews are on Fincher's side, as the ending is part of what makes this movie. I've seen this movie at least a couple times before, but it's worth revisiting.

Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt play Somerset, Mills

I like a movie that starts simply. We see Detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman) getting ready in the morning. We gain a bit of insight by how fastidious he is and it seems he's single. In the next scene he's on a case with another detective complaining how Somerset is always asking questions. You'd think that should be a requisite for a detective, but this is characterization. Then we see Mills (Brad Pitt). We get a sense of who he is very quickly. He's quick to react. Somerset has Mills playing rookie, and Mills is quick to point out he's no rookie.

From the very beginning this movie is dreary and brooding. Scenes are shades of gray. The crime scenes are dark physically and metaphorically. In many scenes it's raining. It only gets worse. The crimes are based on the seven deadly sins. It's sensational. What first seems like a deranged murder is soon a serial killing. Mills is eager to prove his worth on this case while Somerset doesn't want this to be his last case as he's retiring in a week.

What's so great about the script is that every scene builds story or character. We get a contrast with the impatient and impulsive Mills and the deliberate and contemplative Somerset. They are bound by this case that is so far beyond any kind of case they've seen. It's twisted and deranged, and yet it keeps getting worse. Each crime scene is more grisly than the last. Mills wants to kick down doors for quick results, while Somerset wants to investigate and and narrow the suspects.

Brad Pitt plays Mills

The ticking clock is that by the end there will be seven deaths. We know more are coming. The final act is some kind of game between the suspect and the detectives, but what is the suspect, calling himself John Doe, doing? The car ride to a potential crime scene is intense. This provides insight into the suspect, as we see how Somerset and Mills react to John Doe. John Doe pushes Mills's button, prodding him. Somerset knows not to react. This is supposed to be a calm moment where the good guys have the bad guy locked in the back of the car, but these scenes are full of apprehension and fear. The end run to the finale is something else. John Doe leads them to a field, telling them it's close. "What's in the box?" What a stand off.

This is a great script elevated by even greater film making. This movie could have just been a trash murder mystery with these gruesome deaths, but this explores a dark world as characters wonder how to react. This is a world so dark, you could be engulfed. How do you live in this world? Mills and Somerset both provide answers.