Seven [DVD] [1995]

I think, viewed in 2025, that this is a bit of a "Marmite" film. You will either be bored with a lot of it, or love every (almost) minute of the films 2 hour plus running time. The plot is still a standout. Well paced and directed. Do Pitt and Freeman work? Some say yes - some say no. Both characters are pretty unlikeable, but that's the script and the actors doe their job well. A young Paltrow shows her promise, and the final 20 mins deserve their place in cinema history. The BLURAY is excellent. Good sound, picture and subtitles. Extras not seen. It has a reputation and is well worth either catching it again or seeing for the first time. Hope you like it!!

(Note) I will be discussing the identity of the actor who portrays John Doe, this was kept a secret to increase the impact of the reveal. Although a big deal back at the time of the original release, 15 years later I consider it fair game, so be warned spoliers contained!Although the tide has turned somewhat on the subject of Alien 3, it has grew in stature over the years and many people now view it as a flawed but fine work but back in 1996 when Se7en was released David Fincher was viewed as the man who screwed up the Alien franchise.The blueprint for serial killer films up to this point was Johnathan Demme's adaptation of Thomas Harris' Silence of the Lambs, a hugely successful and influential picture released in 1989 had pretty much had been the bench mark and very poorly copied time after time, film makers wishing to replicate the magic that Demme put on screen, this was of course until Se7en arrived.A relative box office hit and critically acclaimed Se7en arrived out of nowhere. The likes of The Saw franchise good or bad owe it a debt like Lambs it has it's pale imitations the awful Resurrection (1999) starring Christopher Lambert and Se7en bit part actor Leland Orser and more recently the interesting but obvious rip off, the Wilem Dafoe starrerAnamorph (2007) amongst many.Se7en was like nothing else, the like of Bryan Singer and Christopher McQuarrie's Usual Suspects (1995) and obviously held open the door to show that intelligent thrillers can be made but Se7en completely subverts the Lambs ten plate and strikes out on it's own to a devastating effectWhen Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) in the last week before retirment is assigned to help with the transition of his replacement Dectective David Mills (Brad Pitt), they both investigate a case where a morbidly obese man has been found in house having litterally been fed to death, when a infamous defense Lawyer is discovered murdered in his office with the word Greed written on the floor. Somerset then comes to the conclusion after returning to the scene of the first murder after finding the word Gluttony written in grease behind the victims refrigerator, that this is the beginning of series of murders and the killer is preaching the 7 deadly sins to them. After initial dead ends and persuing dubious methods they are eventually led to the killer named John Doe who eludes them. Somerset and Mills having discovered Doe's apartment the film kicks into a higher gear and sets about heading towards it's devastating climax.Fincher Having shyed away from film after his terrible time with Twentieth Century Fox while directing Alien 3, having had the film wrestled away from his control and defied to not attempt a studio picture after this experience. It was his interest in Andrew Kevin Walker's script that made him change his mind and follow up his troubled debut with this unique serial killer thriller. Having secured Freeman and Pitt for the roles of Somerset and Mills, although both Denzil Washington turned down the Mills role citing it too dark and Al Pacino passing on the Somerset role to do City Hall.Fincher wisely chose his actors who subsequently backed their director when the studio tried to change aspects of the film as well as the ending that Fincher was not going to budge on, Pitt threatening to refuse to promote the film if Finchers originally intended climax was not used. Pitt alongside Fincher also lobied for the use of Kevin Spacey as John Doe and also removing his credit from opening titles as Spacey who had recently appeared in The Usual Suspects and would seem an obvious choice for audiences to playing the role if his name appeared in the opening credits of the film.It is a masterstroke and although the impact is lessened on subsequent viewings what was a superb film is elevated to classic status when Spacey enters the film. Spacey choosing not to go down the Anthony Hopkins route of playing Doe as charismatic and witty or tip into ham, choosing to essay him more mundane and calm but all the more a terrifying presence sharing more similarity with Brian Cox's Hannibal Lektor in Michael Mann's take on Thomas Harris' Red Dragon, Manhunter than Sir Anthony's entertaining but diminishing returns Hannibal Lector.The film's brooding dark feel is created using the bleach bypass, whereby the silver in the film stock is not removed, which in turn deepened the dark, shadowy images in the film and increased its overall tonal quality.Coupled with Darius Khondji's bleak effective cinematography and Arthur Max's production design creating a setting that matched it's inhabitants. Fincher wanting to create a dirty, violent and polluted city who's name is never revealed, where the rain appears to fall incessantly.Se7en is often cited as lacking humour, this is unfair Pitt manages to injectlittle moments of humour throughout, Walker's script is simply magnificent, a uttely unique approach to the genre, laced with enough black humour, plenty of quotable dialogue and a work that doesn't relent to the closing credits.In the role of the veteran, Freeman has rarely been better conveying the experience and quiet intelligence of a man who has grown tired of his surroundings and doesn't understand the way society has ended up, recognising Doe's crimes as more than just a loony running around killing. Pitt by contrast is playing the young, cocky wet behind the ears junior and unfairly has been criticised, Pitt is superb playing the contrasting character and both actors create real chemistry on screen, it's just Freeman who these days just seems to be looking for his pay cheques not unlike Samuel. L Jacksson is truly magnetic here. Spacy already mentioned completes the line up with a mesmirising performance. Great support from Gwyneth Paltrow as Tracey Mills' Wife and R. Lee Emery as the Police Captain.Fincher rightly cemented his reputation with Se7en and has raised the bar so far that no other film of the genre has come near to it's power and the ending still manages to be as dark and sobering as it was 15 years ago. Fincher would revisit the world of serial killers 12 years later with Zodiac, this time choosing to look at the factual side and showing he had truly come of age as a film maker.

Everyone knows what this film is about, so I guess it's unnecessary to provide a full plot synopsis. Basically two mismatched cops are investigating a series of grisly murders inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins. The action takes place in an unnamed city, but it constantly rains and everyone looks quite miserable, so it could be Swansea.David Fincher has done a great job on this thriller. He's managed to create a hellish, doom-filled atmosphere without ever making the film depressing. I watched it on Blu-Ray recently and the movie hasn't dated at all thanks to a great script, classy cinematography and Fincher's prodigious talent in the director's chair. Maybe the pace is too leisurely in the first twenty minutes, but "Seven" is more about mood than frenetic action. Clocking in at around two hours, it's lengthy but never boring, with the final third both exhilarating and totally unpredictable.Morgan Freeman is probably the subtlest screen actor of his generation. He never overacts but invariably adds dignity and a touch of class to any role he plays. A truly selfless actor. Therefore it's a great pity he's been dumped opposite the narcissistic Pitt, whose idea of the perfect cast is basically himself in a hall of mirrors. He's given two or three decent performances, but generally I loathe his acting style, which usually consists of slovenly, cocky mannerisms and trying to undermine his co-stars. Well sorry Brad, but in this movie you're not even fit to lick the sweat from your co-star's armpits."Seven" deserves a fat five stars, but I have to knock one off for Pitt's obnoxious antics, even though he's tolerable at times. Top class film and look out for Kevin Spacey in a truly chilling role.