Chilling Stuff (Seven (DVD))

Member Name: MrTink12

Product:	Seven (DVD)
Date:	19/12/06 (165 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great acting, top script, well paced, unique look

Disadvantages: Not the easiest film to watch - it is depressing

“Seven…one of best films from the past fifteen years”


Imagine that on your last week as a detective, a serial killer carries out murders representing the Seven Deadly Sins – namely; Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Lust, Envy, Wrath, and Pride. That is the situation, which faces Detective Lt. William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), when working alongside young newly appointed Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt). Gwyneth Paltrow stars as Mills’ wife Tracy.

The first victim viewers see is an obese man who the killer forced to eat until he literally burst. This is to symbolize the sin of ‘Gluttony’. Shortly after another murder victim is found to signify ‘Greed’, and Somerset figures out that this is related to the first killing. Somerset does not initially want to investigate this horrific case, as experience tells him it is going to take some time to solve. Be that as it may he wants to catch this killer, and visits the library to gain an understanding of the Seven Deadly Sins and their biblical connections. The detectives are dealing with an unpredictable but sophisticated killer who seems to be one step ahead of them.

This is arguably one of director David Fincher’s finest films to date. You may recall other efforts from the director included the under par Alien 3 (1992), and the sublime Fight Club (1999).

The setting perfectly fits the film’s disturbing story. In the American city that the story takes place, everything appears run-down, bleak, uncolourful, and it rains a great deal. Adding to such a grim visual look, victims are shown very graphically after the serial killer has got to them, with the actual murders left to the viewers’ imagination. If the film looked any other way it simply would not have been as effective and memorable. If you have a problem witnessing the results of some ultra grotesque killings, it may be best to watch something tamer. For example, I am man enough to put my hand up and admit that the victim representing ‘Sloth’ made me jump, and freaked me out the first time I saw it.

Seven is an amazingly paced movie. Viewers will be gripped wondering when the killer will strike again, and whether the detectives can catch him/her. The film never drags along, and one cannot help but remember the concluding scenes. In my opinion Seven has one of the best endings I have ever witnessed in a movie.

It must be said that Freeman was perfectly cast as the wise veteran detective. He shows real composure despite such a gruesome case, and viewers will really sense that this is a man who knows what he is doing. Pitt performs his role as the ambitious but reckless Mills very well indeed. Mills starts off thinking he knows it all, but over the course of the film realises that this might not be the case. Somerset is the polar opposite to Mills, and the actors ensure that the interaction between the two characters is very interesting. Paltrow executes admirably her small role as a wife who absolutely despises the city that her husband has taken her to. I shall not mention by name the actor/actress who plays the killer, as it is a major spoiler, and the person in question specifically requested not to be mentioned in the opening credits or promotion of the film. However I will say the performance provided is astonishing, and ensures you will feel nothing short of utter repulsion for the character’s actions.

Overall it is more than likely you will be left feeling a tad uneasy having viewed Seven. It is film certainly not for the faint hearted. Nonetheless this is a fabulous thriller, and avoids being a standard serial killer flick because of its sophistication. Instead, the film ranks as one of the best films from the past fifteen years.


--------The important questions answered--------
Recommended? – Absolutely, without any questions asked.

Buy or Rent? – Buy 100%. Costing (at the time of writing) just £5 from Amazon Jersey, the 2 disc special edition DVD of the film is a bargain. This is since there are a vast amount of special features including four audio commentaries, deleted scenes and extended takes, alternative endings and much more besides.

Summary: Fantastic thriller!