Se7en
In David Fincher’s “Se7en”, Morgan Freeman (Det. Somerset) and Brad Pitt (Det. Mills play two detectives who are tracking a cereal killer. The killer has a unique way of killing people, by having them die from one of the seven deadly sins. One of the victims is feed till he dies, fulfilling the sin of gluttony. This is one of the quintessential buddy cop movies. No only do their personalities clash because, traditionally, one is analytical and the other rash with his judgments. Somerset asks for him to be reassigned, because he believes that it is too soon for Mills to be on the case. The initial conflict between the two perpetuates when Mills is assigned to the case, while Somerset looks forward to retiring in six days, and does not want to be pressured with the possibility of having to solve seven, linked murders. Also, Mills is the one with the successful job and a wife, and two dogs. Somerset is not married, and lives alone. The two are able to bond together over the dinner they have when William and David have dinner at David’s house with David’s wife there.
This film is full or religious imagery, not detracting from the buddy film aspect, but making it a darker, and more morbid movie. The victims are killed for their sins, implying that Doe is giving judgment to the sinners. Additionally, there is much more allusion to religious themes.
“The power lines in front of the GLUTTONY murder's apartment.
With the exception of the desert scene at the end, it is always raining, as in the Third Circle of Hell.
Near the discovery of LUST a heavy wind is blowing as in the Second Circle of Hell, where the overly lustful were constantly blown about by a heavy wind.
The GLUTTONY victim was forced to lie face down in food while he ate continuously, as in the Third Circle of Hell where those guilty of Gluttony are forced to lie face down in mud, in continuous cold rain while eating their own excrement.
SLOTH was lying in a wet bed, probably with urine or excrement, but in the Fifth Circle of Hell the Slothful are forced to lie constantly underneath the surface of the Styx while the Wrathful fight each other constantly on the surface.”
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Se7en#Plot)
All of these images contribute to the psychotic nature of John Doe, who even quotes John Milton in his planning of the seven murders. The use of these allusions heightens the drama of the film. It is essential to include all of the religious meanings, since all of the actions in it are religiously motivated. The lighting, as well as the religious undertones, creates a thrilling, graphic murder mystery that follows the course of two detectives who are brought together to find a fanatical serial killer.
This film is full or religious imagery, not detracting from the buddy film aspect, but making it a darker, and more morbid movie. The victims are killed for their sins, implying that Doe is giving judgment to the sinners. Additionally, there is much more allusion to religious themes.
“The power lines in front of the GLUTTONY murder's apartment.
With the exception of the desert scene at the end, it is always raining, as in the Third Circle of Hell.
Near the discovery of LUST a heavy wind is blowing as in the Second Circle of Hell, where the overly lustful were constantly blown about by a heavy wind.
The GLUTTONY victim was forced to lie face down in food while he ate continuously, as in the Third Circle of Hell where those guilty of Gluttony are forced to lie face down in mud, in continuous cold rain while eating their own excrement.
SLOTH was lying in a wet bed, probably with urine or excrement, but in the Fifth Circle of Hell the Slothful are forced to lie constantly underneath the surface of the Styx while the Wrathful fight each other constantly on the surface.”
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Se7en#Plot)
All of these images contribute to the psychotic nature of John Doe, who even quotes John Milton in his planning of the seven murders. The use of these allusions heightens the drama of the film. It is essential to include all of the religious meanings, since all of the actions in it are religiously motivated. The lighting, as well as the religious undertones, creates a thrilling, graphic murder mystery that follows the course of two detectives who are brought together to find a fanatical serial killer.
posted by Hayden Cadwalader at 1:17 PM
4 Comments:
Glad I'm not the only one whose seen Se7en enough to have written my blog during the movie.
I like how you mention that religious meetings are important. Granted we are dealing with the 7 deadly signs which are within itself of religious value, but like I mentioned in my blog, the murderer uses a religious outlook as to why he committed the murders. In his eyes, he sees his murders as a benefecial way to change the world and to have people obey the 7 deadly sins. Sadly, the way he did it really just taking in all the Commandments!
I like that you brought up the religious aspect of the film. I found the religious aspect of the film made it more realistic and believable. Many highly publicized murderers (particularly in the last 20 years) claim they committed the murders because of some religious calling or some belief they held. John Doe was SO adamant in his reasoning behind why he committed these crimes. Comparing this film to "Zodiac" (by the same director) is really interesting. "Zodiac" is based on a true story, and "Se7en," though not a true story, is just as believable.
While the film does rely on religious and medieval iconography, what is the film saying about religion?
In a sense, like IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, this is probably the deepest movie in terms of meaning. What is the film suggesting to the viewers? What is the meaning behind the action?
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