Seven (1995)

Recently, I had the opportunity to see this film - one of my favorite thriller and crime type movies.

What I like about this movie is that it's not your average thriller and crime type of film - it's not just a movie about the crime itself. It's also a movie about the lives of the two detectives involved investigating the crime, Detective Lt. William Somerset (played by Morgan Freeman) and Detective David Mills (played by Brad Pitt).

On one hand, you have Detective Somerset, a very experienced and tenured detective - he's seen it all. He knows what the job can do to one psychologically and the demands of the job. At the beginning of the film, we learn he is set and ready to retire - he no longer desires to continue his role as a detective. It's just been too much for him. And, he's had enough of the fast life.

And, on the other hand we have Detective Mills, a very young and less experienced detective compared to Detective Somerset. Detective Mills is ready to take on the world and stop it from crime. He is willing to sacrifice everything including spending time with his family in the name of doing what's right for the job. It gets to the point where work consumes him. And, he brings it home with him.

We also meet Detective Mills' wife, Tracy Mills (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) who used to be a schoolteacher in the town they used to live before they moved to the big city for Detective Mills' job. She has been trying to cope with the change and the big city. Though, she finds herself unable to understand her husband's passion for his work feeling lost and confused at times.

The homicide case assigned to Detective Somerset and Detective Mills is one that turns out to be more complicated - it simply is not an open and shut case. To some like Detective Somerset, it's the worse kind of case - a serial murder case that can go on for years and years. Though, to others like Detective Mills it's the case of the century - one that may make him famous if he is to catch the killer. And, that is a big "if."

What's interesting about this film is the way each murder is staged and justified by the killer.

(Note: For those who have not seen the film, I won't go into the identity of the killer and his role - I don't want to ruin it for you).

Each murder is justified by the killer as one of the seven deadly sins . They are as follows: gluttony, sloth, pride, greed, lust, envy, and wrath.

With each murder, comes the ultimate completion of the killer's plan - to send a message to the world and be remembered for his work. And, indeed it is something that will be remembered for years and years. Why?

The ending is what made this film interesting - it's such a complete twist and mind trip. As the audience, I felt in the last scene that all is lost for the killer - that there was not much hope for him and his work was completely finished. Though, we soon realize that's not the case at all - he planned it all along and his work was almost done.

(Note: For those who have not seen the movie, I don't want to ruin it for you but let's just say it's very unexpected and one of those moments that can really throw you off).

And, the unexpected ending and twist is what makes this film so brilliant and so well executed. Just as the killer planned things all along, so did the film's storyline - it really gave me the twist that I look for in these kinds of films. And, a film with a twist and unexpected ending is one worth watching in my book.

If you're in the mood for a thriller and crime type of film, I highly recommend this one.

Film Gurl's 15 Minute Rule: PASS

(Note: For those who are fans of the film, check out this funny parody spoof. Thanks for watching!)

Happy movie watching!



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