Se7en

Cast: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow
Director: David Fincher

Thrilling is one word to describe the viewing experience. It wasn't like an ordinary crime movie I've seen, with all the bad guys and transactions and revenge plots are usually involved. The movie brings two unlikely personalities together to solve a rather smart and puzzling case that involved literature, preach and a whole lot of tasteful gore (yeah I said it, tasteful gore).

A few days before he is set to retire, Detective Somerset was met with two things: a mysterious case and a new partner. Within five minutes we meet Detective Mills, a diligent cop with a strong personality, clashing in with the quiet, somber Somerset. When they find out that the cases they were working on were related, they set on to investigate who could have been behind the series of murders. The link: the seven deadly sins. Their differences became evident with the manner they chose to move onto the case. Somerset led with the intellectual path, a path of mind and reasoning, while Mills obviously went for the active investigator. Even their personal lives showed the difference they had; Mills has a wife, and an affection for his canine companions, while Somerset lived alone. Their differences, while they got along, was evident until the very end, which is very characteristic of them. That's not the focus, however. It is the crimes that has got them baffled, trying to link the event from one scene to another. 

The plot itself was a big question mark, not because it was confusing; it was its intricacy that made it work. The methods used for murder were strange, and different from the usual violent methods enacted in films. I like how Fincher was able to present these cases in a tasteful manner. We don't get treated to the gore, but he gives us enough information to put things into pieces. The direction of the plot was also shady, in terms that moviegoers couldn't predict the murderer's next moves. The only link the detectives had were the scenes, but when the murderer is revealed, the pieces start to fall together. I could spend the next couple of paragraphs explaining the beauty of the plot, but I won't, because it's much better if you see it yourself. However, the only con of the plot for me was that it lingered on too long on the first few crimes, but then again, it is to set stage as to whom the detectives are facing. I am going to leave this paragraph with this: even the ending, where all their characters come together, is brilliant. It showcases the nature of the murderer, and brings the case to a close. 

Before anything else, I'm going to pretend you haven't seen the movie, as the movie did not reveal the murderer until the actual revelation, which shocked me, so pardon if I don't talk about his performance.  It was good, though. Instead I'm going to talk about Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, who were particularly good. Freeman's Somerset is wise, and he played that to a note. He stuck to his performance well, but that was expected of Freeman. I don't think he could ever screw up a role. Brad Pitt was good as well, playing the opposite of Somerset. Mills was a go-getter, career driven man who was very sure of himself. We also get to see him outside of his work, as a loving husband to his wife, Tracy. I don't want to spoil anything but his biggest moment would have to be the climax of the movie. He portrayed his character really well

Se7en wasn't quite what I expected, but they mystery surrounding the plot kept me on hook. It was thrilling not knowing what would happen next. I think in order to fully appreciate it, it should be viewed more than once. I honestly think I can put more input to this, to the way Fincher developed his character and story, if I were to see it more times. I recommend you give this a view, it will reel you in. 

2 comments:

  1. I have great hopes for this – Fincher rocks! And so do Pitt and Freeman… oh god, why haven't I watched this yet?? :D

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