"Se7en," directed by David Fincher and released in 1995, stands as a chilling masterpiece that has carved its place in cinematic history. This psychological thriller not only delves into the depths of human depravity but also showcases the artistry of filmmaking through its masterful use of film elements and its connection to the noir genre. In this blog post, we will embark on an exploration of "Se7en," examining its key film elements, its embrace of the noir genre, and the cultural context that elevates its impact.
Film Elements:
Visual Style and Atmosphere: "Se7en" is renowned for its distinctive visual style, characterized by dimly lit settings, rain-soaked streets, and atmospheric gloom. This choice of visual aesthetics creates an immersive atmosphere that mirrors the film's dark and brooding narrative. By analyzing the use of lighting, camera angles, and set design, we can uncover how these elements contribute to the film's psychological intensity.
Character Psychology and Motivations: The film's characters are complex and multifaceted, each driven by their own psychological motivations. Detective Somerset and Detective Mills, as well as the enigmatic John Doe, are intriguing studies in character development. Exploring their inner conflicts, personal histories, and moral dilemmas sheds light on the film's exploration of human nature and darkness.
The Noir Genre:
- Embracing Noir Aesthetics: "Se7en" seamlessly incorporates elements of film noir, a genre characterized by its shadowy visuals, moral ambiguity, and exploration of the human psyche. By examining the film's use of narrative structure, character archetypes, and thematic darkness, we can appreciate how "Se7en" pays homage to the classic noir tradition while infusing it with modern sensibilities.
Cultural Context:
- Mid-1990s Cultural Landscape: The mid-1990s was a period marked by societal anxieties, media scrutiny, and growing concerns about moral decay. "Se7en" arrived at a time when crime-related media coverage was prevalent, and the film's exploration of sin, corruption, and the potential for darkness resonated deeply with the prevailing cultural climate.
Discussion Questions for Reflection:
- Character Motivations and Moral Ambiguity: Explore the motivations of Detective Somerset, Detective Mills, and John Doe. How do their contrasting moral perspectives contribute to the film's exploration of the human psyche and its darkness? How does their interaction showcase the moral ambiguity characteristic of both the film noir genre and real-life situations?
- Visual Aesthetics and Emotional Impact: Discuss the role of visual elements, such as lighting and set design, in shaping the mood and atmosphere of "Se7en." How do these visual choices enhance the audience's emotional engagement with the narrative? How do they contribute to the film's exploration of psychological tension and the blurred line between reality and darkness?
- Finally, Did you like the film? Why/Why Not?
1. The contrasting moral perspectives of Detective Somerset, Detective Mills, and John Dow contribute to the film’s exploration of the human psyche and its darkness because Somerset’s motivation is his retirement. Mills’ motivation is to make a difference in the world while John Doe’s motivation is to change the world. He believes it is his job to turn the sin against the sinner and rid the world of those who don’t deserve to live in it. It shows the dark reality of the world we live in, how the human mind works, and how people only do things when they gain some sort of benefit from it. Their interactions showcase the moral ambiguity characteristic of both the film noir genre and real-life situations by showing the reality of what it is like being a detective in a world filled with crime while trying to lead a normal life, the bleak view on humanity, the ideas of fatalism and cynicism, and the darkness of it all.
ReplyDelete2. Visual choices, such as lighting and set design enhance the audience’s emotional engagement with the narrative. Good examples could be the crime scenes Detective Somerset and Mills visit, like the first one, gluttony because they are mostly dark and the set is designed in such a way to make it look chaotic and disturbing because that is what it is supposed to be. I think the best example would be at around 1:56:57 and on. Somerset opens the package as the non-diegetic music intensifies. This scene takes place outside where there is bright natural light from the sun and in what seems like the middle of the desert far from the rest of society where there are only powerline towers. The box that is opened is on the floor next to the van so it is covered by the shadow of the car and in the darkness. The audience cannot see what is in it but Somerset does and immediately turns to Mills and John Doe. The scene then cuts between the box, Somerset's face, and Mills with John Doe. The music intensifying represents Somerset’s panic and realization. As he runs after Mills there is random camera movement that also helps support the idea of how panicked and chaotic things are at the moment. He can be heard yelling after Mills in the background as John Doe tells Mills how he killed his wife. When it is said John has the upper hand the camera is put at a lower angle to represent this along with closeups of his face to show his facial expression and mental state. Which in turn contributes to the film’s exploration of physiological tension and the blurred line between reality and darkness.
3. I liked the film because both the story and visuals that accompanied it were very engaging.
1. In the beginning of the movie Detective Somerset and Mills are seen at a very gruesome crimscene. Somerset concludes that the victim was forced to eat to death. Somerset questions why the killer took so much time and effort to kill one man, he goes on to tell his boss and Mills that there was a very specific motive and there will be more killings, but he doesnt know what the motive is. Another thing to add is that Somerset doesnt want to be on this case because he knows there will be more killings, but thats also what ultimately draws him in, his motivation is to understand the killers reasoning. Unlike Somerset, Mills the new detective jumps at the chance to take this case, with no motive other than to take the killer down. Another has died and near his body is the word “greed” written in the victims blood. Somserset takes another look at the first crimescene and finds the word “gluttony”. He realizes these are 2 of the 7 sins and tells his boss there will be 5 other murders. Somerset then again tells his boss to take him off the case and give it to Mills, and Somserset got his wish. Later he heads to the library and prints out pages of books about the 7 sins and gives to to Mills. Although Mills is very confused because he doesnt understand or see the case the way Somerset does. Their contrasting motivations contribute to the exploration of human psyche because the film shows the difference in the way Mills and Somserset see and go after the case but later how they perceive justice. It also contributes to the films darkness because throughout the film you can see Somerset become more intrigued and interested in this case. Not just because he wants to find justice but because he is fascinated by this case, its something he has yet to see before. He continuously tries to think like the killer and it seems the more grim evidence found, he’s lured in. His way of thinking and interest in the case also presents the exploration of the human psyche by putting you in the shoes of the killer. Forcing you to wonder and question why he is doing all of this. John Doe’s motivation is to open peoples eyes because the world is guilty of sin and needs to be punished. He doesnt see wrong in his actions because hes killing those guilty of the seven deadly sins. The three’s interaction showcase moral ambiguity in the noir genre and real life situations because of their conflicting beliefs. What they perceive what is wrong and right is very different, Somerset follows the rules and doesnt believe killing will bring justice, however John Doe does. Doe murders to punish those he deems guilty. Mills is a bit different though, he is very clearly impulsive and his whole goal is to do good, however how he achieves it isnt the best and its most clearly shown when he finds Does apartment. He can either wait for a warrant or break into his apartment, he chooses to break in despite being told not to. Mills then bribes a homeless lady to lie so that he would have probable cause to go into the apartment. Lastly at the very end Mills discovers Doe killed his wife, to attain justice he ends up shooting Doe. The moral ambiguity can be seen in real life with the death penalty, many think killing those who killed is the best way to accomplish justice but at the same time people dont think thats fair because you'd be the same as the killer.
ReplyDelete2. Around 50:12 Mills go on to tell Somerset about how he shot a guy. This conversation is heavy and tragic by itself but with the added rain, small space and, dark colors added it shapes the dreadful mood. These visual choices such as the small space keep the audience focused on the story. As for the Rain, its often associated with sorrow and that fits this scene perfectly because Mills is talking about death. This contributes to the films explorations of psychological tension because the cramped shot shows emotions distinctly, like when Mills was clearly frustrated when he couldnt remember the name of the guy he killed. Its blurs the line between reality and darkness because Mills doesnt seem to be phased about killing a man but the setting around him reflects the reality of the conversation
Delete3.I really enjoyed this film. I enjoy watching murder mysteries or just anything having to do with crime so it wasnt a surprised that I like it. My favorite thing about the film was that you could often feel how another character was feeling. For example when Mills was chasing down John Doe, there wasnt a second I looked away from the screen because I wanted Mills to catch him just as much as he did.
1. Each different motive they have gives many perspectives as well, showing how every mind is different. Two of them believe what they do is for the better of the world, while Somerset does it so he can rest, but now he's like that only due to experience. This film induces the multiple mindsets of a human, where some believe in the same thing but do very different things to get to that same outcome.
ReplyDelete2. The director knew how to use the visual changes well, knowing how dark a scene was meant to be and what could be shown in the lighting and set design. With how dark and gritty the city was, it shows how everyone and everything is corrupted, but towards the end, where John reveals the end, it is bright, showing his new future and a turn from David's perspective. With the noir genre, when everything is dark and gritty, it represents everyone's mindset, but way out far, where John led the two detectives, it is bright, which represents John's feeling of accomplishment.
3. Yes, I believe the film was good. It has enough action to not be boring and quiet moments to regain focus. Overall, the movie was well written, and the acting and every technique used were well executed.
1. The main three players’ motivations in Se7en each add to the film’s darkness and its dive into the human psyche. Detective Somerset wants to retire, which he is close to doing at the beginning of the film, due to his empathy being overshadowed by the apathy of Se7en’s world. This adds to the film’s darkness since Somerset’s want to be away from the apathy of those around him shows how dark this world is and how it doesn’t care for sympathy. Essentially, through Somerset, the film world builds by showing how the apathy around him has taken a toll on Somerset’s willingness to serve, adding darkness to the world and film. This can also be used to show an exploration of Somerset’s psyche, as the apathy of the world forcing Somerset to want to be far away from most people shows how much his job as a detective and his life in this dark world with no sympathy has shifted Somerset’s wants towards an escape more than his want to bring justice to this world. While Detective Somerset looks for a way out, Detective Mills looks for a way in. Detective Mills too wants to serve justice, however, he quite frankly needs to grow up. Mills acts childish for a detective throughout the film, as he breaks into an apartment he doesn’t hold a search warrant for, he’s impatient waiting for crime, he lets his emotions get the better of him, and he even insults and curses like a middle school or high school boy trying to seem tough surrounded by apathetic people. Mills wants to be a detective and serve justice to the criminals of the city. This motivation to serve justice adds to the film’s darkness, as Mills is a part of the apathy problem in the world of Se7en. He does not care much about anything except for his dogs and wife, Tracy, and constantly provides apathy to those around him, showing the darkness of the world and film and how apathetic men like Mills are normal. The film also uses Mills to explore the human psyche. As an audience, we don’t see any of the characters’ backstories, causing us to guess why the characters are the way they are. Due to Mills and the world showing apathy, it can be safe to assume that Mills was molded into an apathetic man due to the world’s apathy and that he is apathetic to fit in with the rest of the world. Yet, Mills wants to serve justice as a detective. This want to serve can show an empathetic side of Mills that is buried and how he wants to do something that is knowingly good. John Doe may have seemingly different interests, yet has scarily similar motivations to Somerset and Mills. Doe sees himself as some kind of justice bringer, although his idea of justice doesn’t coincide with the law’s idea of justice. Doe believes that the world has become a dark, apathetic society that condones sin and looks away when sin is seen. This want of justice against the apathy and sin in the world adds to the darkness of the film, as Doe’s motivations being similar to the film’s protagonists adds a thick layer of darkness in the world and film, as it shows how the world of Se7en creates dangerous idea and beliefs in people who feel they don’t belong in the apathetic world. This motivation also adds to the film’s analysis of the human psyche. Doe’s motivation to break the apathy norm and to stop overlooking sins shows how Doe is an outcast in this world, and how being an outsider to a world that doesn’t care can create such a man like John Doe.
ReplyDelete1(continued). When these characters interact, they bring up questions about moral ambiguity in the noir genre and real life. For example, Detective Mills kicking in Doe’s door and paying someone on the street to give the police a fake tip shows moral ambiguity in not only real life but also the noir genre, since Mills does an unlawful act, but only because he knows Doe lives there and wants to capture him. This raises questions for real-life law enforcement, as they too are faced with the dilemmas of doing an unlawful act for the greater good. This situation also raises questions for the noir genre, as many times these films may feature a protagonist or someone on the law who usually doesn’t follow the law to try to achieve justice.
Delete2. Lighting and set design both play important roles in creating the mood and atmosphere of Se7en. The lighting in the film isn’t extremely dark but instead hosts colorful scenes that look as if the light has been drained from these colors. This creates a grungy, depressing atmosphere that adds to the film’s overall mood and story. This lighting also adds to the world of Se7en and Detective Somerset. Even through all the apathy and crime, he sees on a day-to-day basis, Somerset still looks for the good in people and continues to fight for others, though there isn’t much light left in the world. The set design also plays another important role in the world of Se7en. The set design of the city with no name that Se7en takes place in features buildings that all look far too similar and make the city look as if it has no life. Then, when the insides of these buildings are shown, they are small and dirty and are often located in horrible locations like Mills’s apartment. These buildings with no personality add to the film’s overall apathetic world and help create an even darker city for these characters to live in. The set design also adds perspective to John Doe’s ideals. His beliefs of apathy and sin in the world are reflected in Se7en’s dirty, personality-less city full of people who don’t give a second thought to someone screaming for help. These elements create emotional engagement within the audience, as the set design oftentimes reflects our own world in many instances, so when the audience sees a disturbing portrait of their own worlds, they connect more with the characters and story. The lighting creates a dark mood for the film, which also keeps the audience engaged, as they might find themselves curious about any film that hosts a dark, gritty mood, especially if it has to do with crime. The light and set design of this film also create an exploration of psychological tension and the blurred line between darkness and reality. Psychological tension is explored through the set design, as the set design only furthers John Doe’s ideas, causing viewers to wonder if he is right and if there could be a John Doe in their own world due to the set design being a dark portrait of our own world. The blurred line between dark and reality is explored in Se7en through the use of its light. An example of this can be found during Tracy and Somerset’s conversation in the diner. The lighting is very dark around them and not so bright on them either. This shows how darkness can overshadow the reality of something, even when the reality isn’t the worst thing that happens to the characters.
3. This is another one of my favorite films. Maybe not in my top 20 like it is on IMDB but it is for sure in my top 25. I love the overall mood, themes, and story of this film and how the world is a disfigured mirror of our own world. The main three characters are greatly acted and written and I am very fascinated with the parallels they each share. I do find it sad how everyone usually overlooks the entire film and only looks at the end of the film, though it is a great end. Definitely showing this film to my kids if I ever have any. I'm pretty sure they'd be fine
Delete1.In the film Se7en, Detective Mills, Detective Somerset, and john doe all individually bring a unique perspective to the exploration of the human psyche. Detective mills represents the passionate pursuit of justice, whereas Detective somerset has a more cynical and experienced outlook on things. John Doe however the anti hero of the film (the serial killer) represents the darkest aspects of the human psyche showing the lengths people can go to fulfill their twisted beliefs and desires. Overall the dynamic between all of these characters creates a captivating exploration of mortality, darkness, and the consequences that comes in result to ones actions. The interactions that take place in this film between the characters highlight the moral ambiguity that is characteristic of both the film noir genre and real life situations. The film noir genre is used a lot in this film by showing the gray areas of mortality, where the characters must face difficult choices and navigate their way through complex ethical dilemmas. This is very similar to real life situations which can be morally ambiguous and with no clear right or wrong answer. The interactions between the characters Mills, Somerset, and John Doe demonstrate these complexities various times throughout the film forcing us the audience to question our moral compass and confront the shades of gray that exist in the world around us. This film gives a very good reflection of the moral ambiguity we encounter in both film noir and real life.
ReplyDelete2. The visual elements like lighting and set design in this film play a very crucial role in the shaping of the mood and atmosphere of the film. The use of dark, shadowy lighting like low key lighting creates an overall sense of fear and unease. The very gritty dimly lit atmospheric set design, with its dilapidated buildings and rain soaked streets adds to the overall sense of a grim and decaying environment. These specific visual choices help immerse us the audience in the unsettling world of the narrative enhancing the emotional engagement by triggering feelings of fear, discomfort, and anticipation. The use of lighting and set design in se7en contributes to the films exploration of psychological tension and the blurred line between reality and darkness by the dark lighting creating a eerie and unsettling atmosphere, reflecting the psychological turmoil experienced by the characters. The very gritty and decaying set design mirrors the moral decay and darkness that is deep inside society. These very intricate visual choices heighten the sense of unease and blur the line between reality and the darkness that is residing within human nature.
3.Yes, I did enjoy the movie I found the plot very intrigued and I enthused all visual effects in the film that heightened the intensity.
1. In Se7en (or just seven for sanity’s sake), the three main characters all share the same goal of bringing justice and change to the world. The way the three differ is in their perspectives and methods. Detective Somerset is an experienced, cynical detective who has a mellow demeanor. He feels as if his time as a detective has not brought about the justice he wished to bring to the city, and feels defeated as a result. His depressing perspective of the city around him is first hinted at with the metronome he uses to drown out the sounds of the outside world when he tries to fall asleep; and later in the film, when he can’t keep them out anymore, he metaphorically wakes up by throwing the metronome across his home. He doesn’t fall for John Doe’s mind games because of his experience and intellect, with one little hint towards this being the chess board we see in the first shot of the movie, in the foreground. Unlike most movies, Somerset doesn’t learn that “the world is a brighter place” and that “he needs to loosen up”, he ends up being the only 3 of the main cast to continue living his life after the fact BECAUSE of his outlook on life. Detective Mills is obviously meant to be an opposite to Somerset, the two are each others’ foils. Mills has a much more optimistic and impressionable view on the world. He wants to be the good guy and help fight crime in the big city, like how Somerset once did. His relative inexperience is seen in the first scene, where he bumps into people and stumbles around; compared to Somerset who walks just fine. A much more prominent part of Mills' character, however, is his brashness. He is a big picture thinker who wants to get things done. He reads cliffnotes of books, he kicks down doors just because, he buys an apartment from a slimy realtor before considering the details of the transaction, he hears John out on his deal in the final act. Mills doesn’t always make the right choices, he’s a very human character. John Doe is simultaneously the most grandiose character and the most mysterious. The only real evidence towards the source of his motives and mindset comes from the shot at 1:17:21 that shows dozens of bottles of aspirin, all empty; this signifies that John isn’t all that alright in the head. The specifics aren’t ever said but its implied his need to do “god’s work” probably stems from whatever mental affliction he has, which magnified whatever religious beliefs he previously held. An interesting theory could be a former role in the Church. In any case, his perspective of society is that of disappointment, he hates that sinners get to get away with their crimes, and wants to make an impact in the world by being unforgettable.
ReplyDelete2. Seven has a very noir-inspired look to it. The set pieces depict a less-than-pristine city that is darkly lit with many grey color schemes. This contributes to the dark themes explored in the film. The amount of daylight outdoors also compliments this, providing contrast in the story. For the most part, the outside weather looks bleak, and traces of the sun dwindle as the case goes on. When John turns himself in, the day is sunny, and the final sequence of the movie is even sunnier. This represents the finality and clarity that the last sequence is supposed to bring, just for that to be ripped away after John is ultimately shot by Mills. The world is back to darkness, along with any hope of Somerset being able to be content and happy that his job is done. The darkness as a whole is meant to depict reality through the perspective of Somerset during the dark portions, with his cynicism, and then the sunniness is meant to depict reality through the perspective of Mills; when he thinks he won. Rather than have the weather reflect John’s mind, the set pieces he creates for the Detectives to find fulfill this role. He makes it quite clear how he sees the 7 deadly sins in other people, and how he feels about this fact.
3. I loved this movie, as of writing this (the day I saw it), it might be my favorite movie we watched for this class, and top 3 of all time for me so far. I love stories/art that use religious ideas for horror and I also love it when religious ideas are used as a vessel for contemplating the human condition; this movie does both of these while being an expertly written noir film. A personal headcanon I have is that John Doe sees himself as a messiah/god-like entity, with his work being complete on the 7th day of the murders and ending with his rest. However, I don’t really have anything specific to prove this, which is why I didn’t include it in any analysis.
DeleteI give this move a 7/10 because I'm an awful and unfunny human being
1. The contrasting moral perspectives of Detective Somerset, Detective Mills, and John Doe contribute to the film’s exploration of the human psyche by showing how people have different motives and are willing to do different things to achieve their goals. At the start of the film, the audience is shown how the two detectives have different motives and morals. Detective Somerset is seen to be more straightforward and serious about the line of work of being a detective. In contrast, Detective Mills is shown to be relaxed and hotheaded. Specifically in the scene near the end of the movie, the characters are all tested on their motives. When John Doe leads Mills and Somerset to the desert to find the alleged remaining two bodies, the detective's morals are tested. The audience and detectives are tricked when it is revealed that Mills’ wife was killed by John Doe. In a moment of chaos, Mills is faced with killing John Doe out of outrage at seeing his dead wife. Detective Somerset tries to calm Mills down and tells him to not kill John Doe as it will make all of their work useless. This interaction between all three characters references how in real life and in noir stylized pieces not everyone is especially good or bad, there is a spectrum.
ReplyDelete2. The set design around the first victim representing gluttony is used to enhance the audience's emotional engagement. The dark set design is used to build tension among the characters and audience. The scene of the first victim is dark and gritty, setting the mood for most of the movie. This dark and gritty aesthetic helps build the notion for the audience that the movie is intense and grim. The dark atmospheric setting also creates an uneasy feeling, playing on the emotions of the characters and audience. The messy and chaotic sets show the inner minds of both detectives. Both characters are stressed and tense about the serial killer situation, and they both feel an urgency to solve the mystery. The dark and grim setting gives the entire film a dystopian/futuristic look, allowing the viewer to question when and where the film takes place.
3. I enjoyed the film despite not knowing what it was about. I think the story line was really interesting and it kept me entertained. The twist at the end kept me very anxious, wondering what would happen next. Detective Mills killing John Doe really emphasized the idea that no one person is truly good or bad. The ending felt sort of abrupt to me, but nonetheless, I thought it was a good movie.
1. One of the first scenes in the film is a murder scene. One of the first things that Detective Somerset asks is, "the kid see it?” This shows Detective Somerset’s morals and who he is as a person, but we also see that he dislikes the city by showing him sitting on his bed struggling to sleep while you can hear the city falling apart. He wants to do good, bring justice, and'save the city’ in a way, but he feels like the city is moving too fast and he doesn’t understand it anymore. It is easier to fall into a life of crime than to try to do the right thing, and he can’t stand it. People ignore these crimes because they don’t care; they have apathy for everything that happens around them. So he wants to leave the city. Detective Mills wants the same as Somerset. But from the beginning, it is obvious that Mills wants justice because he wants to be the hero; he wants to prove himself and show that he can be more. Detective Mills always wants to be in the action. He reacts based on his emotions, and he is not as calculated as Somerset, but he also wants to bring justice so he can live a better life. He doesn’t care about understanding the city or the crime in it; he believes that only crazy people commit crimes. He is the opposite of Somerset, who believes that everyone is able to commit gruesome crimes, and he is intrigued by that and wants to understand why. Mills just cares about catching as many criminals as he can, and he finds enjoyment in that. Like John Doe. John Doe is the every-day man; he says, "It doesn’t matter who I am,” because he could be everyone. In the third killing, the victim was a guy who had made some very bad decisions. Even though it was a gruesome scene, the SWAT officer and the doctor believed that he got what he deserved. John Doe punishes sins with the same sins they’ve committed, which means that he is a sinner himself,so he also condemns himself. He enjoys punishing, just like mills. He argues that he is similar to the detectives, and he admires them, probably because he realized the similarities between them; he is bringing justice just like them. He believes that he was chosen by a higher power to deliver justice; he sees how the city ignores sin, and now everyone is numb to it; he is teaching a lesson to the city; this parallels with what Somerset believes. If you are in trouble, you must yell ‘fire” because no one responds to help. But despite all of this, The final line of the film “The world is a fine place and worth fighting for. I agree with the second part” the city might be rotten beyond repair, but Somerset believes that he needs to fight for the city and right all of his wrongs........That is why he started working with Batman.
ReplyDelete2. The city is purposely not named during the entire film; it is just a place that people want to get out of. The sets are dirty, buildings look old and like they are falling apart, when we see the houses of our main characters, they look messy, Mills house shakes when the train passes, apartments look gray and dull just like the people inside those apartments, and everyone in the city is careless about what happens around them. That is reflected in the set design and lighting. All of these things enhance the main idea of the film, purging the city, and how people have become numb and don’t care about anything if it doesn’t involve them.
Delete3. i really really like this movie; it's probably in the top 10 movies for me. The attention to detail and the ways David Fincher unravels the mystery are very interesting and engaging. It has an extremely terrifying villain and a very interesting plot. Almost every single character is amazing and well written, and it seems like every single line that is spoken serves the story really well. probably the best unboxing video I've seen.
9.7 boxes / 7 se77en77e7n710
ReplyDeleteThe difference between Detective Somerset, Detective Mills, and John Doe are all very interesting throughout this entire film as they all have contrasting personalities and ways of doing things. Detective Somerset while he does take some time to think over or about things he often jumps and doesn't think most of the time which causes him to get into alot of trouble like when John Doe almost killed him after a long chase between the two. Furthermore Detective Mills is almost the opposite; he is concise and thinks very carefully about everything he does to stay out of legal trouble which Somerset does not do. And John Doe, throughout the film from what we knew he was insane he killed people to prove just because of their problems like, the obese man which he talks about a lot through the car ride to his final scene “wrath” and he can see his psyche rip apart Somerset's mind. All their interactions seem very real as this film does a great job of the noir aspect is seen with all crime scene and work and there characters all help unfold the horror behind the film
2. The film's composition adds to the noir aspect all the time as everything is often low lit and eerie for the horror and noir aspects. This makes almost everything even if it's not a scary part of the film seem scary and adds horror because of the mystery behind it all. The director also makes amazing use of rain for the emphasised sadness and ominousness which creates this amazing atmosphere of a bunch of condescending scenes that seem like they lead to nothing as the detectives try and solve the mysteries in this dark world. The Sets and ideas as seen through the film break the minds of the main characters as some like Mills wants to leave the place and not go on with the case and Somerset who is determined to figure out who it is and put a stop to it, all of these ideas creates what this film is and makes it very unique with the ever changing world of “Se7en”.
- Tate Bell and forgot to label the first paragraph as question 1
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ReplyDelete1. Se7en is a movie that explores some of the deepest darkest parts of the human mind that most would say shouldn’t be explored. The main Detective, David Mills (played by Brad Pit), is a young spry Detective who just wants to bring people to justice. Everything is very much like “Here’s what happened, here’s the details, this is who did it”. He wants to jump on any case as soon as it’s available, especially ones that he thinks will be difficult. An example of this is when the other Detective, William, says he doesn't want to take the case of the serial killer, Detective Mills jumps right up to try and take it. He believes that he can deliver the most justice and show off his skills by taking on a case that not even a seasoned Detective wants to take (14:47-17:06). He doesn’t really want to know the why as much as Detective William Somerset (played by Morgan Freeman). Detective Somerset obviously wants to bring criminals to justice as well, but he is also the type of detective who wants to know the “whys” behind every crime. This can be seen when Detective Somerset practically says that one big reason he doesn’t want to continue being a Detective is that he doesn’t understand the city anymore (20:36-20:59). He is very focused on the “why” something is happening. The main antagonist, John Doe, is more like Detective Mills. He wants to bring his twisted version of justice to the world for the sins people have committed without caring too much about the “whys” behind them committing said crime. But unlike Detective Mills who brings justice to evil by using and believing in the establishment that is in place to help bring justice, John makes the people die for the sin they have committed. His hope is that people will follow what he does and continue to cleanse the world of its sins (1:48:05-1:48:18). One example where you can see all three perspectives and their ambiguity is the whole car scene from (1:41:57-1:51:14). Detective Mills can be seen making fun of John Doe, insulting him and just acting like he’s already one this one for justice. They are just being led right to the last 2 pieces of evidence to put this guy away for good, so he is just acting high and mighty not realizing what is actually to come. But as Mills is doing that to John Doe, John is giving hints at times and outright saying to others the reason behind his “justice”. And unfortunately, it sort of makes sense to how someone could trick themselves into believing that, especially when he doesn’t deny when Somerset says he was picked by a higher power. You could see someone who is truly brought into what he believes 100% believing, then, that they were picked by a higher power to start a revolution essentially. A world full of deadly sins could be seen as something that needs to be cleansed of these terrible deadly sins, right? And while definitely not through murder, Catholics believe that the world needs to be cleansed of these sins as well. It almost just seems like he is taking religion to the extreme. And while John Doe is spilling all this information out, Detective Somerset listens very intently. There are many close-up shots of his face clearly listening to every word that John says very closely. The only times that he speaks in the whole car ride is when he is trying to get information from John about what he truly believes about what he is doing and why. He doesn’t insult him, and at times he even pretends to agree with John, or at least be sympathetic and try to better understand the man.
ReplyDelete2. The lighting and set design are vital to the movie's themes and tone. The movie takes place in a crime-ridden urban city and mostly uses dimmer, more low-profile lighting. And when the detectives enter a dark space, they use flashlights. This obviously makes the movie look dark in those times and gives the movie a darker tone. At times, the lighting emphasizes shadows on the people's faces and bodies. This is a visual representation of the moral complexities and the possible “darkness” within. Also, much of the film takes place inside various rooms, and it’s darker than normal outside so they have to rely more heavily on artificial or ambient lighting. This also visually gives a slightly depressing look to it since sunlight can literally give happiness from its light and rays. The set design also gives a complex feeling to the viewer. Most of the colors in this movie are on the greyscale or a shade of brown. This makes the movie feel washed out, bleak, and depressing, but still engaging because of the visual choices like camera angles and on-screen details relating to the crimes. The lighting and visuals also are linked to the sins in a way. What is on screen and the lighting reflects the sin and the reactions people typically have to them. For example, the Gluttony victim is in a dark room by himself, away from people. Now obviously, he was alone because John didn’t want him to be in public when he died, but it also represents that typically people deal with gluttony on their own. They feel shameful eating that much in front of others, so they try to hide it, and typically you feel dark and gross. Another example would be the sin of Greed. Typically greed is committed in front of others. If you're greedy, others will know most of the time. So he died in a room full of light and people knew he died immediately. The bright room indicates that the sin was committed in the light; out in the open and not in the “dark” (hidden) like most other sins. The design of the set is also more modern and shows that he clearly has a lot of money to spend on useless decorations because of his greed. And finally the sin of Wrath. The lighting is bright when Detective Mills commits the sin, like how when you commit wrath, you feel good about it at the moment. It then cuts to Detective Mills in the back of a police car and it's dark. This shows that after a little while of committing wrath, you will feel dark and empty inside when reflecting on what you have done.
Delete3. I liked the movie. Even though it was dark and was definitely the most violent movie I have watched, it was still good. I’m not good with blood and gore, so it made me feel squeamish and made me lose my appetite while trying to eat dinner. But I liked all the attention to detail they put into the film. It had me on the edge of my seat for most of it, but unfortunately, I had the ending spoiled for me a long time ago, so when they started driving to the desert I knew what was coming. I just appreciate a movie you can analyze and get different perspectives on afterward from other people instead of just something brainless.
1. Detective Somerset was most definitely the voice of reason within the film; he was constantly analytical, intelligent, and fairly pessimistic. On the other hand, Detective Mills was a somewhat naive, passionate, and optimistic character who always felt confident in his abilities and was less analytical than Somerset; he was a much more impulsive character. Finally, we have the antagonist, John Doe. This character was what one may consider truly evil; he tortured and mutilated multiple people in a detailed manner in an attempt to exemplify and depict both the largest sins men can commit as well as how common they are in the world. In the final moments of the movie, we delve into the thought process of John Doe; we are given the ability to see what he sees. He states that sin is so common nowadays that we all just seem to accept its existence and do nothing about it. In an attempt to bring the spotlight over to these issues, he committed many murders, one for each except Wrath, who he let be represented through the actions that Detective Mills impulsively commits in the heat of the moment. The atrocious acts that John Doe committed were a message to emphasize the significance of sin and how common it is; how you could find examples of sin in everyday life in every person you meet. In this sense, he was only providing rightful punishment to those he felt deserved it most. Detective Mills, a naive detective determined to climb the ladder and become a hero to those who need it, due to his naivety is often startled by the realities he comes across during his time taking the case of John Doe, especially towards the end of the film, which is when his emotions take the best of him and he’s willing to lose it all in order to fulfill his desires in a singular moment. A good inbetween of the two extremes, Somerset, is the primary protagonist of the film. He’s both aware of the disgusting desires and abilities of human beings through years of experience, but he also holds out hope that justice will rightfully prevail, which is highly emphasized in his last line (loosely quoting), in which he himself loosely quotes another man, ‘the world is fine and it is worth fighting for’, finishing off that statement with, ‘I agree with the second half’. All three of these characters well represent a spectrum, from pessimistic to optimistic, from purely analytical to purely emotional. In the end, John Doe is proven right by Detective Mills, in which he predicts that he will be shot out of a turbulent mix of emotions due to the brutal murder and decapitation of Mills’ wife. Though John Doe did terrible things throughout the film, he, as well as every other person he made an example out of, well highlighted the entirety of John’s message about the human condition and behaviour; people can and will do anything they desire.
ReplyDelete2. I watched the film to simply enjoy its plot, but now that I reminisce about the movie, the more I realize the subtleties and impact of the visual choices. The movie was quite pessimistic, brutal, and tragic. To emphasize this mood, darker hues and lower saturations were involved. It was also an often dark film in terms of lighting, not just the colors chosen for the set, costumes, etc. During the most stressful moments in the movie, the lighting is very low and the colors are often stressing or morbid themselves, such as the pale skin of the corpses or the lighting and colors in the given rooms.
Delete3. I genuinely loved this film. I think it’s definitely one of my favorite movies. John Doe had an analytical, morbid and calculated personality akin to the Joker in the Dark Knight, but he actually had the last laugh in this movie. In addition to this, he was also more realistic in regards to his plans as well as ambitions and attitude; he wasn’t a great person, but he had some form of genuine purpose. I personally believe that, for someone to do something, they need reason that makes sense to themself. This ultimately implies that bad things cannot be done by a person unless they do not perceive it as bad or unless they have reason to overlook it. This made John Doe feel much more real than other antagonists; he simply seemed to be a religious extremist who believed that his ambitions were significant enough to pursue. The terrible but amazing ending in which John Doe won, Mills lost everything, and Somerset continued to simply bear witness to all that was happening around him, just as he had done in the beginning of the film was an amazing way to put the audience in the terrible mood that they wanted to be in watching a noir film. This ending put us in the shoes of the main character, who only had the ability to watch his fellow detective, a young startup, naive but passionate, lose everything in the blink of an eye. We as the viewers saw the worst possible outcome that the film could’ve had and felt like Somerset in those final moments, reflecting on the terrible truths that exist in humanity; that people truly are predictable in their unpredictability, that have the ability to be both the greatest and worst things imaginable, and that though the worst make the world a tough place to live in, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s still worth fighting for.
1.Their interaction showcases the moral characteristics of emotional and morals that shows their motives for what they do. All are different but the same in some sort of way . Somerset does it for the better. The only reason he is that way today is knowledge. This movie makes viewers consider the various ways that people might think and act while still holding the same beliefs.
ReplyDelete2. The lighting plays a big part in the aesthetic and emotional impact to me because it gives a certain feeling like mystery people sometimes associate colors with feelings, and that's how i felt when watching this film Brownish ash felt like crime and mystery the lighting and set design can have an emotional impact on an audience due to suspensefulness, for example (1:56:48) the cuts and music make up for a more mysterious feeling wondering what’s inside of the box due to the reaction.
3. I actually liked this film because of the way it was always something interesting. I love crime and this film also kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next.
1. The contrasting moral perspectives of Detective Somerset, Detective Mills, and John Dow contribute to the film’s exploration of the human psyche and its darkness because Detective Somerset is the veteran detective, All he wanted to do wrap up the serial murder case and retire, while Mills wants to make a difference in the world. He fought to be assigned to a busier area, so that he could work big cases witch in his mind was a way to do that. and John Doe who is a serial killer that liked the Seven Deadly Sins so much so. He would kill his victims in ways that represents their "sin". witch proves his point about society tolerating sin.
ReplyDeleteTheir interactions showcase the moral ambiguity characteristic of both the film noir genre and real-life situations by showing the viewer what it is like being a detective in a world filled with crime while wanting a some what normal life. In classic noir fashion, the setting of the film is a nameless gray city where it's always raining.
2 Se7en takes place in a city, The rainy, urban landscape of the city is the primary backdrop of the film. The city is often shown in a de-saturated, in dark shades and shadows "Director David Fincher shot the entire film in dim light and shoves the victims mutilated bodies in our face. The grimness of the tone wears you down but that's appropriate considering the subject matter."- imdb
3. did i like the movie YES! considering the my fav genres are action/noir style, and the murders representing the Seven Deadly Sins. whas reallly cool to me if i had to i would only watch this for the rest of my life
1. The contrasting moral perspectives of the different characters shows how each character is different in the way that they think and contributes to the movie's exploration of the human psyche because the different ways that characters think is because of their backgrounds/experiences.
ReplyDelete2. The lighting/color used in Se7en is mostly dark, consisting of black, grays and browns. The choices within the color and lighting illustrates the dark and psychotic themes of the movie. The bleak and gloomy city only intensifies the themes of the movies and contributes to the dark atmosphere of the movie.
3. I liked the movie, I rarely watch crime movies but I think Se7en was engaging because it kept me wondering and wanting to know more.