Should I blame the director?

Rating: 8/10 (14 April 1999)

I saw this film for the second time the other night just to see if I can understand and appreciate what all the hype is/was about. Well, I didn't understand it this time either. I'm not saying that Se7en is a bad film, because it is not. The film is quite good -- but not as good as everybody else seems to think -- and not nearly as great as the masterpiece it has so often been compared with: The Silence of the Lambs.
However, great acting, great cinematography, great production design, haunting music, and a great script. But, somehow it seems as if the sum of these parts is *less* than the value of the individual part. That is strange -- and a shame. Should I blame the director?
As for the great acting: Morgan Freeman must be mentioned, he's almost always brilliant. And -- naturally -- Kevin Spacey in his small but important role as John Doe. Spacey has a presence that is almost uncanny. He is as brilliant as ever. He's fantastic.
Shame about the film though. (6/10)