Rating: 4.5/5
Synopsis:
David Fincher’s “Se7en” returns to the big screen, giving audiences a chance to experience one of the most acclaimed murder mysteries of all time. In a city filled with crime and decay, two detectives are assigned to a case too heinous for most regular people. Mills, a rookie cop who moved to the city for a fresh challenge, heads the investigation. He’s accompanied by Somerset, a seasoned veteran who is worn down from the job. The two detectives quickly realize that this killer’s motive is formatted around the seven deadly sins, forcing his victims to suffer based on the sins they’ve committed. Mills and Somerset must put the pieces together before this vicious killer can complete his masterpiece. Can they catch him in time?
Positives:
“Se7en” is the first David Fincher film I was exposed to. From the very beginning, I loved the style and aesthetic Fincher created for the film. He crafts a world so void of life and hope, where crime and struggle are a part of everyday life. This is true with the characters that inhabit this city as well. Somerset is a veteran detective who has been there for many years, unable to sustain connections with others due to the horrors he’s seen over the years. Much like the people he is surrounded by, his hopefulness seems to have dwindled. Mills on the other hand is full of piss and vinegar, still carrying the youthful edge and enthusiasm for a career with so much opportunity. The two share a wonderful dynamic throughout the film, beginning with contention but slowly growing a unique sense of trust. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt deliver great performances, both of which garnered critical acclaim and future opportunities from the film. Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey also deliver strong supporting performances.
The film has a uniquely effective way of presenting the story, where the characters in the investigation are front and center. With a story as technically sound as “Se7en”, it’s a film that hits all quadrants to be successful. Mills and Somerset meet quickly and are forced into the investigation right away, so naturally a story filled with mystery and plot details could forget to develop its characters. That’s not the case here, as each interaction the men share adds more layers to how they interpret the case. As the film builds into its conclusion, Mills and Somerset are two compelling characters we are rooting for. The tension built throughout the film is excellent. As the detectives try to navigate the complexities of the case, the motivation behind the killer’s philosophy adds a disturbing element to the mix. He is calculated, unforgiving, and grisly in his execution. As the events come together in the bone chilling finale, it perfectly concludes the story on a grisly note that has haunted audiences for years. I didn’t think the IMAX format would add much to the experience, but there were some impressive wide angle shots Fincher utilizes to enhance each scene.
Negatives:
I don’t have many bones to pick with “Se7en”. The more I think about its finale, I believe it could have been executed a bit stronger. While John Doe hands himself in towards the end of the film, I was hoping we’d get more on his philosophy as he drives with Mills and Somerset to the location of his final victim. As John explains why he’s committed these crimes and his vendetta against a sinful world, he contradicts himself a few times. Perhaps this was intentional as Mills and Somerset press him on the grisly nature of his crimes. I also found the plausibility of him constructing this final crime so quickly to be a stretch. The film does such a good job of methodically executing the story and examining John’s plan, so if these details were sharpened up then the story would have been perfect.
Conclusion:
“Se7en” is one of my favorite murder mysteries and an absolute classic. The bold nature of the film is shocking to this day, so I can’t imagine how chiling it was upon its 1995 release. The performances are all great, combining nicely with the dreary tone established early on in the film. I loved exploring each element of the case as each grisly murder is unveiled. We feel like we are engulfed in a city that is perfect for such crimes. As John Doe’s revelations about his plan come to fruition, it makes all the more sense about his goal to expose sin throughout the world. This is one of David Fincher’s best films to date and I never get tired of watching it. Seeing it on the big screen was such a treat. Definitely check this one out!
