Se7en (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
2 NYC detectives (Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman) find themselves on the trail of a maniacal serial killer that chooses his victims according to the 7 deadly sins in 'Se7en', directed by David Fincher. Both detectives are on opposite ends of their careers. David (Pitt) is the new hot shot on the job, brimming with energy, ambition, & cockiness. He can't wait to catch the bad guys. William (Freeman), however, is in his last week on the job. After many, many years, being a detective has worn him down; physically & mentally. To him, being a detective isn't about catching the bad guys, it's more about gathering evidence in case a prosecutor eventually needs it. In stunning fashion, the serial killer pursued by David & William is choosing & executing each victim based on their individual moral violations of the 7 deadly sins (gluttony, greed, sloth, lust, pride, envy, & wrath). This is his Modus Operandi.
And the deaths form a sort of warped sermon for this killer. He views himself as the 'sword of God'; dealing horrific punishment to the 'sinners'. In David & William's quest to end this gruesome killing spree, the 2 cops hope that their dissonant styles will equal success. David is a bit anxious, but William knows he'll be ready to pounce once they attain the killer. And William may be a bit slow, but David knows that his long hours researching Chaucer & Dante (scouring for clues) may help them zero in on their target, & put an end to the murders. It takes a while for them to figure each other out, but they get there. When all is said & done, there is no mystery to who the killer is - but the diabolical fun (we're supposed to enjoy - and I do) is seeing how the killer continues to outsmart the police, & what he'll do in his climactic/ultimate death -- the piece de resistance, so to speak. Can David & William steer clear of his diabolical plan?
The movie takes us from one grisly victim to the next as the killer 'John Doe' sermonizes to David & William. The 1st sin we witness is gluttony (a man engorged). I'll go no further in my description. Each death we see throughout the film is graphically demonstrated in dark, murky tones ... making their discoveries that much more revolting. Fincher really pushes the Film Noir technique in these discoveries. 'Se7en' is just a very intelligent thriller. And it's great to see an intelligent villain for once. From the 1st murder to the last, he is a lunatic, but a lunatic-under-complete-control. The detectives are his pawns; and we are along for the ride with all 3 of them. This isn't your typical police procedural; where one cop is hunting for an unknown suspect. No. 'Se7en' is one of the most original, dark, suspense-filled thrillers that I've seen in quite a long time. One of its best attributes (along with its Film Noir feel) is it's morbid atmosphere. You never know what's going to happen next. It's fascinating to see how it all plays out; all the while - it's still appalling, nasty, & unsettling. If you have a weak stomach, I suggest you skip this movie. Part of the appeal of it is its revelatory nature of each (7) grisly murder.
Brad Pitt's David is not the most likeable guy; too impatient, and always thinking he's the best. If Pitt's intention was tom play a complete pr*ck, then he achieved this tenfold. But Morgan Freeman gives a truly masterful, multi-dimensional performance as the weary old detective who's been thrust into his strangest case yet; right on the eve of his retirement. Gwyneth Paltrow is very good in a small, but pivotal role as David's wife. And Kevin Spacey shows up; knocking us out in one short, fell swoop. Some of what occurs (in the plot) is absurd, & over-the-top. Some of the portions are so gloomy that you'll struggle to come up for air. In a story involving bags of body parts, slashed flesh, & dismembered tongues, you'll be hard-pressed to find any optimism. However, the film's length, & bleakness did not detract from my utter enjoyment of the story, acting, & craftsmanship of filmmaking. I was on the edge of my seat throughout -- great, great thriller.
And the deaths form a sort of warped sermon for this killer. He views himself as the 'sword of God'; dealing horrific punishment to the 'sinners'. In David & William's quest to end this gruesome killing spree, the 2 cops hope that their dissonant styles will equal success. David is a bit anxious, but William knows he'll be ready to pounce once they attain the killer. And William may be a bit slow, but David knows that his long hours researching Chaucer & Dante (scouring for clues) may help them zero in on their target, & put an end to the murders. It takes a while for them to figure each other out, but they get there. When all is said & done, there is no mystery to who the killer is - but the diabolical fun (we're supposed to enjoy - and I do) is seeing how the killer continues to outsmart the police, & what he'll do in his climactic/ultimate death -- the piece de resistance, so to speak. Can David & William steer clear of his diabolical plan?
The movie takes us from one grisly victim to the next as the killer 'John Doe' sermonizes to David & William. The 1st sin we witness is gluttony (a man engorged). I'll go no further in my description. Each death we see throughout the film is graphically demonstrated in dark, murky tones ... making their discoveries that much more revolting. Fincher really pushes the Film Noir technique in these discoveries. 'Se7en' is just a very intelligent thriller. And it's great to see an intelligent villain for once. From the 1st murder to the last, he is a lunatic, but a lunatic-under-complete-control. The detectives are his pawns; and we are along for the ride with all 3 of them. This isn't your typical police procedural; where one cop is hunting for an unknown suspect. No. 'Se7en' is one of the most original, dark, suspense-filled thrillers that I've seen in quite a long time. One of its best attributes (along with its Film Noir feel) is it's morbid atmosphere. You never know what's going to happen next. It's fascinating to see how it all plays out; all the while - it's still appalling, nasty, & unsettling. If you have a weak stomach, I suggest you skip this movie. Part of the appeal of it is its revelatory nature of each (7) grisly murder.
Brad Pitt's David is not the most likeable guy; too impatient, and always thinking he's the best. If Pitt's intention was tom play a complete pr*ck, then he achieved this tenfold. But Morgan Freeman gives a truly masterful, multi-dimensional performance as the weary old detective who's been thrust into his strangest case yet; right on the eve of his retirement. Gwyneth Paltrow is very good in a small, but pivotal role as David's wife. And Kevin Spacey shows up; knocking us out in one short, fell swoop. Some of what occurs (in the plot) is absurd, & over-the-top. Some of the portions are so gloomy that you'll struggle to come up for air. In a story involving bags of body parts, slashed flesh, & dismembered tongues, you'll be hard-pressed to find any optimism. However, the film's length, & bleakness did not detract from my utter enjoyment of the story, acting, & craftsmanship of filmmaking. I was on the edge of my seat throughout -- great, great thriller.