SE7EN

An anonymous bleak city teeming with lowlifes and perpetual rain forms the backdrop to one of the tautest, grizzliest and most disturbing thrillers of the nineties. 

Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) is about to retire from his job in the homicide division of the Metro Police force of the nameless city.  He has probably seen more of society’s baseness than anyone ever should and this has left him a little cynical.  His partner in his last 7 days on the job is Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt), the man who will take his job when he leaves.  Mills is the perfect foil for Somerset: where Somerset is thoughtful, and brooding Mills is emotional and impulsive, and from their first meeting, the two men are at loggerheads.

As the investigation begins, the detectives slowly realise that this series of murders is not like any other.  The murders graphically depict the Seven Deadly Sins.  Detective Mills who eagerly heads the investigation is told by his elder, more educated colleague to read works of literature that he has never considered reading before.  He is daunted by this task and embarrassed that he does not understand the symbolism in the literature.   He gets a uniformed police officer to purchase the books and keeps them in brown paper bags, the traditional overcoat to pornography.  Great, classic works of literature are name checked throughout the film, from Milton’s “Paradise Lost” to Dante’s “Inferno.”  These make it clear to us, the viewer, that the killer is well educated.

As the detectives blunder blindly from killing to killing, it is obvious to us that they are following what the killer wants them to do.  It is the killer pulling the strings, even when after murder number 5, the killer, known only as John Doe, gives himself up. We are forced to question why, and we are right to do so.  It is at this point of the film, the killer’s appearance, that the film moves up a gear.  Kevin Spacey, the unarmed lone killer, steals the film away from the rest of the cast. 

The car ride to the film’s denouement is littered with memorable quotes.  For example, John Doe, in offering a motive for his crimes, says, “We see a deadly sin on every street corner, in every home, and we tolerate it. We tolerate it because it's common, it's trivial. We tolerate it morning, noon, and night. Well, not anymore. I'm setting the example. And what I've done is going to be puzzled over, and studied, and followed... forever.”  It is here as we watch the denouement unfold that we realise that we are watching something special.  The ending, which some commentators have derided, is perfect:  John Doe wins.

David Fincher has directed a truly mesmerising piece, with fantastic performances from all the main players and supporting players, but it is Kevin Spacey’s film.  The script is exceptionally well written and Kevin Spacey conducts himself with an inner calm and callousness that is a joy to watch.  I cannot recommend this film highly enough, a true modern masterpiece.