David Fincher’s crime thriller “Seven” is a fantastically bleak depiction of a world of apathy and violence through the lens of a police procedural.
Released 30 years ago, the film has garnered a reputation for its on-screen violence and uncompromising commitment to showing the worst of humans.
Set in a constantly raining city drowning in crime, the film follows the last week before the retirement of disillusioned police Detective William Somerset, played by Morgan Freeman. Somerset is partnered with the young, idealistic Detective David Mills, played by Brad Pitt, to investigate a series of horrific crimes throughout the city themed by the seven deadly sins.
As the week progresses and the crimes escalate, the pair rush to find the killer while their contrasting personalities and outlook on their job clashes.
The use of literary references and allusions to art gives “Seven” a level of sophistication that is hard to achieve and successfully balance with the all-out brutality inflicted on the victims in the film. It weaves the Christian idea of the deadly sins with the physical manifestation of its punishments by someone who is omniscient-like in their intelligence.
The film is further elevated by the visual style that Fincher would later be well-known for: underexposed shots and strong contrasts with a gritty, cool toned color palette.
Fincher might now be known for his dark, polished thrillers, but “Seven” was the film that started it all. All the landmarks of his directing, pacing and thematic elements can be seen in “Seven.” He went on to direct films like “Fight Club,” “Zodiac” and “Gone Girl,” all of which are considered classics of their genres.
The film also features some fantastic performances.
Freeman is at his best here, though an argument can also be made for his role in another ‘90s classic, “The Shawshank Redemption.” Freeman gives a fresh take to the archetypal brooding noir detective, a kind of role that he is not usually known for. He is the best actor in the film and steals every scene he’s in.
It’s hard to remember when Pitt wasn’t a cultural icon but “Seven” was one of the first films where Pitt started moving away from his image of a Hollywood pretty boy and took on more complex roles. His portrayal of the brash and impulsive Detective Mills was one of the foundations of his dramatic acting career.
The memorable story and ending are also where “Seven” shines. It’s like how other great ‘90s crime thrillers like “The Usual Suspects” and “LA Confidential” drew viewers into a complex web twists and turns that leaves them exhausted by its conclusion.
There is something quintessentially ‘90s about “Seven” and how it strives to portray all the evils that are in the world.
The film came at a time when the war on drugs was still in full swing and many Americans still remembered watching Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer being tried and executed for their crimes. It’s a dark and depressing film for a time when Americans were becoming more disillusioned.
