Se7en (1995) Directed by David Fincher

Directed in 1995, David Fincher’s Se7en is a film that defines all ordinary rules of any typical film, making it difficult to categorize. The film doesn't open directly with the sequence. It first acquaints the awaiting audience with the retiring Detective Sommerset (Morgan Freeman). A long shot sets the scene displaying an average kitchen setting containing a black man dressed in a shirt making possibly a coffee. We can then relate the black coffee with New York due to it being a very common drink there. The man appears very relaxed and comfortable (dressed loosely in a shirt) in the kitchen leading us to believe that its his home. The dietetic sound indicates that he possibly lives in a flat or complex as you can hear the slight mumbles of supplementary people, which appears to not faze the male, so he is use to it. The kitchen appears very bland, lacking colour and appealing taste, implying that he is perhaps single as is deficient of a feminine touch. Furthermore the lack of colour could also indicate he is childless. Further indicated by the absence of child items like magnets or pictures on the refrigerator.  The shot displays a chess board in the foreground. This juxtaposition makes us association him with being very methodical and systematic- making the audience be captivated by this stranger. 

Next it cuts to a behind the shoulder shot of him doing up his tie in a mirror. His reflection could echo he has a split personality or maybe that he wants his tie to be perfect. This deep examination of his character is also additionally reconnoitered when we see him logically and precisely pick up items of the table. This being a bird’s eye view shot could show his on top of things and always in control with a give situation. Inferring he perhaps has an OCD making you feel uncomfortable as he is peculiar and strange. The objects he accumulates are very specific further delving into his personality and life. The neatly folded handkerchief could suggest the 1960s and that he is rather traditional as typically people nowadays use tissues. The penknife additionally staples the forethought of him being logical and organised. It also suggests that he does not know what each day entails so therefore needs to be prepared for all possible outcomes of the impending day. The camera then pans round to show his bedroom- enlightening his precisely made bed. This pan could show he is trying to check everything is in place in sighting us maybe into his job (like looking for things out of place as clues). His bed making format appears straight, rehearsed and practiced insinuates his has perhaps a military or disciplined background. He then lays down his suit jacket onto the bed and picks off a speck of dust. This attention to detail indicates his obsession to perfection and his intention to detail perhaps foreshadowing his job.  The camera then follows his action to show a metronome which implies he is always alert and finds it hard to cancel out things and perhaps over thinks things. 

A cut then show a long shot of the detective, revealing his outfit consisting of a trench coat- further indicating his job and shows him to be traditional and stereotypical detective. The outfit also denotes the typical 1960s attire. A medium shot then reveals a new character David Mills. This shot allows us to see his contrasting appearance to the other inspector. The shot also allows us to see his face which shows he youth, therefore indicating he is  inexperienced or unprepared. Then a shot reverse shot of the two characters profiles allowing us to compare them. Mills dialogue is blunt and snappy showing he is perhaps arrogant and confident. Next it cuts to a reverse tracking showing movement so perhaps progress of the two men. They walk at a pace showing that they want to get to the point or perhaps bottom of something fast, yet Mills slightly lags behind showing his inexperience.  The paralinguistic features they trade whilst walking indicate frustration between maybe there roles. The opening tile instigates instantly it is a thriller. The non-dietetic sound is rather chilling and creates tension and on edge feeling. First the screen displays a close up shot of a books spine; representing, maybe the human spine and body (which is a persistent reference within the impending sequence). The tattered appearance indicates it has been opened many times perhaps giving us a first insight into the character as shows obsession or fascination. Though the main focus of the lens is on the book, showing its importance, in the background hands are detectable. This hazed image of hands gives a very enigmatic atmosphere, as hands represent ability as well as skill. The slight lighting mainly exaggerates the lack of light in the first place which is usually vital when reading a book;  this absence perhaps indicates that is does not contain words. The light only faintly hits the pages which could show that the book has a dark or unpleasant content. It then fades out which in this context could show finishing a book. We later gather that perhaps the books represent the victims so maybe showing an end of someone’s life. Subsequent is a black screen then a cut to show a bird’s eye view shot of illustrations of distorted hands. This again refers to the body and the shot could show someone watching over the top of you or maybe that someone is ready to pounce. The hand illustrations are fixed onto graph paper possibly showing the characters academic or mental abilities. It looks like a desk with a spot light as the image is well lit on one side; this gives the impression of an interrogation room, perhaps foreshadowing crime. Then a shadow passes over giving the impression of movement and makes you aware of the presence of a mystery. There is an absence of light around this shot, perhaps representing much is unknown or is shameful. The following cuts are fast paced additionally leading use into the believe it is a thriller. There are numerous succeeding shots and dramatic cuts insinuating a persisting feeling of misperception, and also permits you from gaining a clear identification of the films objective. Disorientation is also engaged by the absence of colour and light present which further shows horror. 

The typography that flickers up on screen further amplifies the predetermined thought of confusion, as its quick showing panic and distress. The font looks much like that of handwriting writing maybe from the killer perspective which is also showing in the following scene of the book from a point of view shot. Many of the objects shown on screen are quite time worn like the old photographs which give the impression it’s going to be a traditional horror, and could show that the villain wanting the past to stay as he is sticking them down. Yet perhaps the use of the black pen signifies the dislike or disregard of something, and therefore attempting to cancel out something.  The use of shadow is significant giving a sense of trying to conceal something which is also shown by the limited appearance of the villain this also hints that the films story line focuses on his exposure. The extreme close up of the needle being removed from the finger insights the audience that it is a horror and gory and shows pain. The continuing instrumental also is a sound effect of a pen scratching which is very uncomfortable and of high pitch. Throughout it is mainly extreme close ups which could show the precision of the acts of the villain and the intention to detail he places on it- this is also signified by the graphic removal of his fingertips. The removal of ‘God’ from the bank note contextually makes you believe faith is involved and perhaps the title ‘seven’ helps hint the link of the seven deadly sins. Yet this could also show that he is perhaps trying to play god and through the removal of it he can stand in his place- as god is said to decide who lives and dies.