Intriguing and clever movie

Rating: 9/10 (13 August 2002)

I almost threw up after watching the ending. However, as much as I was disturbed, I was also intrigued with the cleverness of the plot. When the credits rolled, I had to tell myself that it was only a movie, but the terrific acting performances by Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey (especially Kevin Spacey,) made the movie seem very real. I think this is one of those films that people love to hate, even though they know it's excellent.
SPOILER TIME- Before seeing the ending, I really disliked the character that Brad Pitt played. I didn't understand why the producers had to make him such a jerk. However, it made so much sense after the ending. I was swayed to believe that Spacey would lead the two cops to a bomb, and somehow the two cops would symbolize the last two sins. I especially doubted that David Mills would shoot John Doe, but now I realize that that was necessary in order to make the movie so good. I should've realized that Morgan Freeman was foreshadowing when he said "There will be no happy ending."