Se7en Analysis

Se7en

Director: David Fincher=> Gone Girl, Fight Club, Alien 3, Social Network, Panic Room, The Game, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Benjamin Button, Zodiac

Setting and Location

Location: Place Geographically

Setting: How its portrayed atmosphere time period

Scene 1

Location: City=> Diegetic noises of sirens and noise
                             Busy; Hustle

Setting: 90's
             polluted- buildings are locked, rusted and gross
             rain- Dirty "dirty green" "dank"=> dead body being wheeled out

Crime- siren (diegetic sounds)
"the real world"- realistic
Rough Area; people seeing dead bodies on a daily basis
                     Apartments have bars and wnidows <= not a pleasant place to live in

(0:27) Detective Mills (Brad Pitt) gets bumped into a person from the area- no one flinches/ apologizes/ reacts. This gives a sense of aggression and we can see that Mills is not from around here.

Scene 2: Somerset's flat

Somerset's flat may be one of the neatest and clean scenes and location in the movie. His flat is decorated with antiques and old furniture, fit for an old person who has been in the world of Se7en for a long time. Somerset lives alone in his flat and does not seem to worry about the violence that is happening around him. This is evident when we can hear the non-diegetic sounds of banging, sirens and construction that is going on around Somerset's flat. However, during the scene when we see him putting on his badge and coat, there is a flip up knife as well on the side of the bed where Somerset is going to pick up next.

A flip up knife is a weapon that policemen and detectives don't tend to use, it is a weapon more fit for a burglar or an outlaw, someone that commits crime usually holds this weapon due to its stealth and quickness. Further on in the movie, we also see Somerset throwing his flip-up knife to a dart board, this emphasizes that Somerset is detective but will still use outlaw tactics and thinking if neccesary which is shown near the ending of the movie when he slaps John Doe. Moreover, the editing of the diegetic sounds of the honking of the car creates an image of reality. Somerset's apartment may look peaceful and classy on the outside, but really, it is still located in the world of se7en where crime never stops. In addition before the ending of the video, Somerset resets the metronome in order to mark a new day of crime solving. He uses the metronome as a reminder to not be consumed into the world of se7en and to stick with his own thoughts and calm mind. Moreover, it is used to cut out the sound of the outside world whilst Somerset is sleeping.

Scene 3: Tracey and Somerset scene

In this scene, we see Somerset and Tracey having a serious conversation about Tracey and Mills' future at a downtown diner. Tracey told Somerset about the baby that she's going to have a baby soon. However Somerset gave Tracey 2 choices to either keep the baby but also strongly suggests her to get an abortion before its too late.

This conversation tells a lot about the setting and the world of se7en. Usually, when someone is pregnant, she would not get depressed that easily and have to make choices in keeping it. However, the choices that Somerset gave to Tracey gives us a clear image on what the world of se7en is like. It is a place full of crime and killings, everywhere you go, it is always unsafe and  furthermore, nobody wants to have a baby in a place like this because they can't imagine what their child's life will be like if they have to grow up in a horrible place like the world of se7en. This scene also highlights on the character of Tracey. She cannot handle this place and thinks that it is miserable. Tracey struggles to find a job here and feels insecure. Fincher made Tracey's character insecure to foreshadow here fate. Her insecure character creates vulnerability to John Doe and is also the key to Mills' becoming the 7th sin. In terms of camera work and editing, the use of a close up shot and following the 180 degree rule creates tension and depression which does not fit in a typical conversation that normally has good news like someone being pregnant. Moreover, in every setting of se7en we will hear the diegetic sound of sirens to remind the audience all the time that the characters are still in a world of crime. This is also supported by use of dull colors and dim lighting to create a grim mood in the scene.