Fincher's finest hour

Rating: 10/10 (29 March 2001)

(Spoilers)
"These days you can't just tap people on the shoulder. You have to hit them with a sledgehammer. That way you can be sure you have their complete attention."
This quote essentially defines an incredible movie. From the outset, David Fincher ensures the audience knows this is not going to be an easy film to watch. The relentless torrents of rain, bleak and depressing locations and the consistent use of funeral-style attire maintain the very visual sense of foreboding and dread throughout.
First, a basic outlay. The film centres on two stereotypical police officers. One, a young rookie by the name of Mills (Brad Pitt), has been transferred (at his request) to the dark, unnamed city in which the story takes place. The other is veteran detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman), a veteran cop is due to retire in seven days (obviously an attempt at either continuity within the film or a 'red herring' as to it's real content). For his last week, Somerset is partnered with Mills, and it's not before long that they stumble upon a gruesome murder, wherein an obese man appears to have eaten until he physically burst. Initially Somerset wants nothing to do with the case, but certain clues convert his theory to believe that this murder is not as 'cut and dry' as it seems to be, leaving him a final case to solve before he puts his career to rest. After a breakthrough via somewhat illegitimate methods, the two detectives push closer to their potential killer. More murders ensue until the film nears its climax with a simply unforgettable collision of events.
The acting is clearly worthy of note. Before watching the film this reviewer was perfectly aware of Brad Pitt's 'pretty boy' image. Well all I can say is that Pitt was perfectly cast (in the role that may well have pushed his career into the A' list) as David Mills. His good looks and somewhat cocky attitude did him huge favours when portraying a character in need of every one of these assets. Mills' arrogance as a character lights up his inexperience as a cop like a neon beam in the city's own dark alleyways.
Freeman is superb as always, confirming the theory that great actors don't need words to act. An example I have seen frequently used is the scene where Mills and Somerset discover the first victim. Mills, full of enthusiasm for his first case proudly declares "Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a homicide." At this point Somerset turns to face his partner and raises his eyebrows a millimetre. It's not much, but this simple gesture says more than most actors can from a page of dialogue. Some people question the validity of his continuously calm attitude in even the films most horrible of situations. My answer to that is simply this - he has been doing this job for so long that nothing has the power to shock him any more. It is like his senses have been numbed to the horror around him simply because he has been dealing with these atrocities for so long. Even so, the case does affect him in ways, most clearly in the films 'final showdown' but throughout as well. For example there is a scene where Somerset cannot sleep for noises of displeasure outside his window. Symbolically these noises also represent the effects of the outside world on Somerset's mentality - sometimes he cannot sleep as a result of it.
Finally Kevin Spacey must be credited (though he isn't in the title sequence) for turning in a truly electrifying performance. Surely if Morgan Freeman is one of today's best actors, then Spacey is one of tomorrow's. His portrayal of 'John Doe' is the most brutally honest and terrifying portrayal of a serial killer ever (yes, including Hannibal Lecter).. There are many comparisons. Both are clearly intelligent men, both have an exterior which suggests a physical inferiority and both are seriously disturbed. The reason I find Spacey's 'Doe' more threatening however, is due to the seemingly relentless pursuit of his beliefs. Whereas Lecter had other interests, 'John Doe' seems hell-bent on performing the mission he has set out to achieve, and his determination makes him that much more terrifying.
In my opinion David Fincher's 'Se7en' is one of the best films I have ever had the privilege of viewing. It's script (By Andrew Kevin Walker) and direction perfectly complement the film¹s dark and dreary tones, while the score ensures every moment of music is a subtle layer on the movies overall effect. If you watch 'Se7en' and hate it, watch it again. Many people I know watched it and thought it too depressing, too terrifying and generally too much¹. I plead to these people, watch the movie again. Perhaps it is because you are more prepared for the events that occur the second time round, though I guarantee the film will shock you just as much, no matter how many times you see it.
10 out of 10.