Seven

Roger Crow's review

United States, 1995
UK Availability: January 1996 (wide)
Running Length: 2:03
BBFC Classification: 18 (Gory crime scenes, violence, swearing)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Cast: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, John C. McGinley, Richard Roundtree, Kevin Spacey
Director: David Fincher
Producers: Arnold Kopelson and Phyllis Carlyle
Screenplay: Andrew Kevin Walker
Cinematography: Darius Khondji
Music: Howard Shore
UK Distributor: New Line Cinema

Just when you thought you'd heard the last of the serial killer thriller, along comes Seven, the blockbusting new buddy movie for Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman.

Pitt gives a fine performance as the eager beaver young cop, all designer stubble and get up and go out to catch a demented murderer indulging in the seven deadly sins, while Freeman delivers and assured portrayal of a man who looks like even breathing is a chore and who obviously knows more than he's letting on.

What unfolds is a rather clever little thriller made for relatively little money. In fact, it's so dark and dingy, the lighting crew must have used a couple of 40 watt bulbs for the first 80 minutes of the movie.

However, the literate and intelligent script by Andrew Kevin Walker keeps the viewer hooked from the erratic start to the strangely complete finish, making this a perfect sequel to The Usual Suspects, despite both films being made by different crews and with no apparent link until the finale.

The reason for its success? Well, in theory, it's just pushing all the buttons we want touched to scare us witless. Tap into any audiences' subconscious fears: Possession (The Exorcist); being eaten alive (Jaws); being kidnapped by a serial killer (Silence of the Lambs); throw in plenty of scenes of tension; atmosphere; subtle character development that nearly always pays off at some point and as long as you're not a complete fool, the result should work a treat.

Of course, having a decent cast and crew doesn't do much harm either. Directed by pop promo veteran David Fincher - the man behind some of Madonna's most memorable videos and the abominable Alien3 (not his fault it has to be said) - this is stylish, gothic and about as chilling as modern stalk and slash thrillers come, at times looking like a cross between Blade Runner and NYPD Blue.

The critics have been raving about it recently and American movie goers have welcomed it with as much fervour as Silence of the Lambs, but with recent events at 25 Cromwell Street, one wonders whether the British public are ready for another disturbing - albeit- fictional drama so close to last year's tale of true-life horrors.

Still, for those with a strong stomach and a liking for insomnia, this is one sin well worth indulging in.

However, a word of advice without giving too much of the plot away. Don't have any spaghetti sauce before you go and see it. You certainly won't want any afterwards.

© 1996 Roger Crow

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