Se7en (1995)
Also known as "Seven"
Seven deadly sins. Seven ways to die.
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow, R. Lee Ermey, Andrew Kevin Walker, Daniel Zacapa, John Cassini, Bob Mack, Peter Crombie, Reg E. Cathey, George Christy, Endre Hules, Hawthorne James, Wiliam Davidson
Director: David Fincher
Running Time: 127 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 18
Crime, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
On DVD A serial killer is on the loose. That's never a good thing even at the best of times, but what makes this guy particularly gruesome is that he's got a gimmick: each of his victims are perpetrators of the so-called "Seven Deadly Sins" (that's Greed, Sloth, Lust, Gluttony, Bashful, Sleepy and Doc).
Step forward the two detectives out to track down this complete and utter sod before he can complete his dastardly plan. William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) is the grizzled pro, just six days away from retirement and the prospect of heading off to the countryside to work on a farm. David Mills (Brad Pitt) is the new guy in town, juggling his sleuthing duties with living in a vibrating subway-side house with missus Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow). Both are good at their jobs, both dedicated to the badge, and both insist on using torches whenever they enter a dark room instead of just switching the lights on.
If you're not one for blood and gore, you'll want to give this one a wide berth, as director David Fincher doesn't hold back when it comes to showing us the various victims in all their grisly detail. But regardless of your opinions on being shown that sort of stuff on-screen, it's worth knowing that it doesn't ever detract from what is a highly accomplished piece of movie-making. The balance between style, atmospherics and good ol' fashioned story-telling is just about right, and the performances from all involved (including Kevin Spacey, even though he only pops up for about half an hour) are spot on.
The only part of 'Se7en' I continue to find irksome, after repeated viewings over the years, is its ending. It's oft regarded one of the most memorable climaxes in cinema and, though that is probably true, it just doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the film. I'd even go as far as to call it a bit of a cop out. But maybe that's just me.
DVD Extras: Disc 2 holds the goodies, which include an extra butcher's at the opening sequence, deleted and extended scenes, an alternate ending, production designs, stills, notebooks, promo material, and filmographies.
It's Got: A bloke who takes his dieting way too far.
It Needs: A fish supper for that man - quick!
Alternatives: The Game, Fight Club
Summary: 'Se7en' might be a really stupid way to write the title, but when a film's this good nobody seems to care. Great and gruesome at the same time.
Review by Gary Panton
External Links
Se7en at the IMDB
Comments3 Comments |
| I thought the ending didn't quite fit either. The reason I think the ending doesn't seem to fit is that it was rewritten because of an unsettling ending that was too much even for SE7EN. Spoiler --------------------> I personaly believe the orignal script had instead of the Brad Pitt's girl friend's head in the box it had a fetus. Which over course would really fit with Mogan Freeman knowing that Brad's girl was pregent. That would transition into why it would even really matter that Mogan knew when he opened the box. I could see Pitt's character opening the box and seeing a fetus and going "what the hell". Then it would all unfold with Morgan's character verifying that GF was pregant and Pitt's character realizing that she must also be dead. It would also fit with the sick S**T that was happening to people in the movie to that point. A beheading was kind of tame for the ending. Then again it wasn't my girl friend... |
| Comment by:- Ethan | | 05 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| That would be a little TOO extreme. And it was actually his wife, not his girlfriend. |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 17 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| "Favorite Movie". Good story line. Good directer. Hair raising and twisted would best describe the flick. If you can't stomach gore, best not rent the movie! |
| Comment by:- FROMnANGEL | | 01 April 2005 | ip: logged |
