The Essential "Tracking the Killer" Movie...

Rating: 9/10 (7 August 2007)

A detective (Brad Pitt) moves to the big city (possibly New York, but never stated) just as another (Morgan Freeman) is retiring. For the last seven days of the retiring detective's career, they must track down a serial killer who bases his killings around the seven deadly sins. Gwenyth Paltrow, R. Lee Ermey, John C. McGinley, and Richard Roundtree also appear.
This film starts out with an amazing Nine Inch Nails remix of "Closer" over some spooky credits that will play a part in the film later on (but you probably will not make the connection until your second viewing). This sets the tone for a mid-1990s film of nihilistic, dark despair. Unlike another mid-1990s film ("Empire Records") that focused on the pop aspects, this film is for all those who saw the dark side of the decade.
That nihilism is evident, and really summed up the 1990s for some (and ushered in the peak of Tim Burton's career, along with industrial music and films like "The Doom Generation". John Doe speaks of the general "apathy" of the world, which came to the forefront in the 1990s, I think, with Marilyn Manson and ultimately ending with Columbine when we were shocked back to our senses. If the 1990s were a color, it would have been black.
Visually, the film is stunning, even in the death shots. The gluttony victim, which starts the movie out, is a corpse you will never forget. The acting here is quite good, perhaps among Brad Pitt's best work. There is an odd moment or two, but overall he is flawless. This is likely the film that solidified his career for the next decade (more than "Thelma and Louise" ever did). Morgan Freeman is great, but when is he not? His mere presence exudes genius.
As far as serial killer dramas go, this one is as well written as possible. Another one, "8MM", from the same writer, is also pretty good. But I think this one takes the cake. Other cop dramas with Morgan Freeman ("Along Came a Spider", for example) are also well written. But again, this takes it. The blend of action, humor, dark grisly death and literary intelligence is just superb in its smooth mixture. What other serial killer is using Dante and "Paradise Lost" as a guidebook?
Can I again say the supporting cast is good? Paltrow almost never fails to impress, and this is one of her more vulnerable roles -- a dainty flower in a hurricane. Ermey is his typical authoritarian self, but more reserved here, to his credit. And Roundtree is at the peak of his career, as well -- this may not be "Shaft", but I think he comes across as a serious actor here in a way he never has before.
As anyone will tell you, this film is ranked in the top fifty for a good reason: it is a stellar film. If you do not mind a little blood and plenty of curse words, you will love the intricate and well-woven plot here. I recently watched the film again -- possibly my fifth time now -- and it only grows better with repeat viewings. In short: Delightfully sinister!