Se7en

From the time of posting this review, David Fincher's new film, Gone Girl, will be releasing to theaters in a few days. Without focusing too much attention on that film, I am highly anticipating it as I read the book and loved it and generally enjoy Fincher's work, even when it is a bit overrated (*cough The Social Network cough cough*).

When thinking of which film I would like to retro review next, I really wanted to pick one that I didn't have much, if any, idea of what I was getting myself into. Many of his films I had already seen, whether they be in theaters or on TV, but there was one that I distinctly knew kept avoiding me:

Se7en

I knew bits and pieces about the film: that it starred Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, that it was Fincher's first big movie, and that the ending was supposed to blow your mind. But truly, other than that I didn't know much else, nor had I ever consciously seen any bit of it on TV. So to prepare for Fincher's most recent film, I decided to go back to his beginning.

Safe to say that it was quite a ride in more ways than one as Se7en is a hell of a thriller that I'm sure pretty much melted people's minds in 1995. Despite a clearly younger Pitt, Freeman, and Spacey, the film ages remarkably well and often I find that to be one of the true tests of a great and timeless movie is how well it presents itself almost 20 years (!) down the line.

Um...the clue is behind you Brad. In blood. It spells "Greed".
(No wonder he was never on Blue's Clues)

Writing this review about a day after having watched Se7en I really only had one issue with it and I think that the issue most likely stems from the studio holding Fincher back a bit. Given that some of his more recent films are getting up there in runtime (Gone Girl is around the 2.5 hour mark I believe), I imagine that for a first-time director, the studio wanted to waste as little money as possible in case the film bombed. If you're wondering where this is going, I'm talking mainly about the editing within the final 30 minutes of the film. For most of the duration of the film, it comes across as a slow burn...one that is taking its time setting up the story, the villain, the mythology, etc. Granted the movie is a little over 2 hours long, but I feel like the editing near the end, once the villain is revealed, is rather fast paced and races forward towards a conclusion without taking the time that the previous 1.5 hours did to so methodically set everything up.

Kevin Spacey's villainous plot laid the
groundwork for many of today's villains.

But most everything else the film does is accomplished supremely well. Pitt, Freeman, and Spacey's performances are all equally brilliant as they are three very different characters. Spacey's villainous speech in the back of a cop car is incredibly brutal and biting, but perhaps it stings so much because it is partially true. The cinematography is fantastic throughout, easily creating some memorable images and featuring some awesome camera angles. I was also mostly pleased with the script aside from a couple corny lines, and the original score was haunting. But of course, the highlight of this film is its plot. And even though I knew that something big happened at the end, it was still a tough pill to swallow, as were its repercussions. So yes, the ending is as good as you have heard it is. I wouldn't go as far to say that it's "mind blowing", especially with all the "smart" villains we have these days (The Dark Knight, Skyfall, The Avengers, etc.) but I'm sure that in 1995 it was a bombshell that everyone was talking about. But even if it's not "mind blowing", it's still incredibly well orchestrated. Personally, what I found to be the best part of the film was the suspense and intensity that it maintained the whole way through. Each 7 Deadly Sin murder was unique, grotesque, and very creepy (I could make a joke about being "hard to stomach" here for those that have seen the film, but I wont). Se7en was not a film that I intended, or even believed, that I would get so gripped in to, but for 127 minutes it really had me in its clutches, and with as many movies as I see I definitely respect and love it when a film can do that, not to mention one that has already been out for almost two decades.


This is the face you get when you ask Brad how to do
long division

Se7en represents the caliber of film that I LOVE to go back and watch and reaffirm all those "OMG You've never seen _____ before?!" statements. As a movie buff it's a bit of a shame sometimes that I'm lacking in the Pre-2000 era, but when the films are as well done and powerful as this one is, it makes it truly a delight to go back and do a Retro Review.

Rest assured that this is one film that will not be feeling my deadly sin of "Rath's Wrath".

CONS:

• The film's final half hour seems rushed, as if the studio was urging Fincher to come in at under two hours. Compared to the methodical, suspenseful pacing of the beginning, the ending seems to happen in a blur
• Some corny dialogue here and there
• Not a CON, but more of a warning: the film is graphic and dark. Definitely not for everyone

PROS:

• It hooked me, probably more so than any other "detective" based film ever has, from start to finish. Although I had already heard rumblings about the ending, Se7en never let up with it's grip on me
• The 7 Deadly Sins plotline is superb and it really keeps the story moving along. As soon as one dead body shows up, you want to know about the next one and the film knows this and follows this
• Fantastic performances by Pitt, Freeman, and Spacey. All at the top of their game
• Great script save for a few instances. It has a lot of powerful things to think about
• Supremely creepy. I was genuinely grossed out, freaked out, and weirded out on a handful of occasions each. The deaths, while gruesome, are very inventive
• Fantastic cinematography
• Strong original score
• Having seen most of Fincher's films, I believe this one to be one of his best. It's intelligent, intense, disturbing, suspenseful, and packs a hell of a punch with that ending

Retro Rath's Review Score: 9.5/10