Review: Se7en (1995)

I feel it's fitting that it was Firday the 13th when I watched this....

So yes, I finally saw Se7en, again, because of the wonders of Netflix Instant Watch. And well....

....that was the most disturbing film I've seen to date. Like...wow David...

Let's break it down.

First off, the direction is great, with Fincher's eye being just as dark and stylistic as ever. I have noticed that, compared to, say, Zodiac or Gone Girl, this film is far more OVERTLY stylistic, but that doesn't take away from the film at all, but rather enhances it, creating a horrible, hellish world of constant rain, bustling, completely filthy city streets and constant shadow. This film is ABSURDLY dark, and not just visually, but atmospherically as well. This city (which remains unnamed), is basically what a Live-Action Gotham SHOULD look like: a relentlessly oppressive, dreary place where anything good is slowly and steadily ground away into the fabric of darkness and depression. Freaky stuff.

The acting is great, with Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey all giving stellar performances. Freeman and Pitt have great chemistry together, bouncing off of each other and complimenting each other perfectly. The characters of Pitt and Freeman are well developed, and feel like real people, which is great considering the sheer darkness of the film, and therefore a real need for the audience to sympathize with our heroes.

Kevin Spacey is chilling with his brief appearance in the last 30 minutes as John Doe, crazed, cold and calculating serial killer responsible for the incredibly disturbing murders. His turn is brief, but completely memorable.

The music is great, with Howard Shore's score being just as dark, oppressive and chilling as the rest of the movie, matching the visuals perfectly. Coupled with an eclectic mix of classy jazz and disturbing electronic, the songs used help contribute to the disturbing, unsettling atmosphere that lurks in every frame.

Now, I will say that this film is so dark, so disturbing, and so cynical in it's view of humanity that it can make it near unbearable to watch. Every scene set in the crime scenes feels like it goes on forever, clawing at your soul and making you want to just stop the movie and take a sixty year shower and drench your mind in brain bleach. At times, it feels needlessly graphic, since the descriptions are often more evocative and effective in creating a mental picture of each scene, and therefore allowing the audience to make it as disturbing as they want. Luckily for the audience, none of the murders are shown BEING committed, and we only ever see the aftermath...but damn, what an aftermath.

But yes, in the end, as disturbing as it was, I can't help but have respect for this movie. It isn't a movie I'd find myself watching over and over again, but I'm glad I finally saw it.

Five out of five.