Se7en is a crime/ detective story that follows a retiring detective, Detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman), and his replacement, Detective Mills (Brad Pitt), together investigating a series of linked murders inspired by the seven deadly sins. Within the movie there is a strange similarity that I noticed between Detective Somerset and John Doe (Kevin Spacey).
John Doe's relationship with Detective Somerset's character shows a certain connection that causes us to question who John Doe really is and his role in this movie. Doe and Somerset are almost mirror images of views and traits. Both men are educated, and have an appreciation for libraries and great literature. Also the men have a similar hatred for the city where they both live. Both of them recognize the ugliness of their world, and both try to change it in their own way (Doe kills, Somerset solves crimes). Even the characters' dialogues are similar to each other's. The similarities between Doe and Somerset are numerous throughout the film, but these connections lead me to ask the question, “why?" Why would Fincher create a seemingly psychotic murderer that had the same views and traits as a likeable and important character? Why?
With Doe’s and Somerset’s connection it also made me see how John Doe and Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), from Fight Club, are also similar. They both see the wrong in things; Doe how much people sin and how much evil there is, and Tyler is all anti-consumerism. They both go forth and do their thing to fix the problem. Doe becomes a serial killer and links all his killings to the 7 deadly sins. Tyler starts a cult, “Fight Club”, and creates Project Mayhem, a plan to blows up all the major credit card companies in the city. Another thing is they both seem to be everywhere and nowhere throughout both movies. Last (SPOILER ALERT DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO BE SPOILED) they both get killed because of what they were both fighting for the whole movie.
9 comments:
I thought it was neat how you compared both Doe’s and Somerset’s values. I'd have to say most people that go out and watch a film don't really think about that as much...people mainly just focus on the plot as a whole.
From the two movies we have seen so far I can see that David Fincher like to focus on the bad or evil thing in our society. In fight club its consumerism and in se7en it’s the seven deadly sins.
BTW: joey you should say the directors name in the blog
I liked Fincher's masterful work at suspense. At the end, when Mills and Doe we're in that field, I didn't have the slightest clue what the hell he was talking about. When he said that he played house with Mills' wife, my heart sank, because I knew exactly what was happening. It was a bit shocking to be honest. I was as upset as anyone would be over what happened, except maybe Mills, because it was his wife's head in a box. Another thing Fincher does amazingly is create the persona of a person who is slightly insane. The Narrator creating another personality to carry out his true desire, and Doe, who has such a skewed perception of how the world works. I would go on, but I think you guys should watch his other movies first.
btw you guys have lame comments
Hunter, I think you're right on in thinking that Fincher portrayes characters as being insane or odd. This in turn does make the story more packed with suspense and gives the audience a different approach to certain scenes. And Ben, I also agree with you on Fincher focusing his films on the bad/evil of life. Do you guys think he's trying to promote a messege to his viewers? Or do you think it's just part of his films with no relative significance to it?
I don't know if he has a specific message he's trying to get across. If he does, it's somewhat subtle or only known to himself. I guess you could see it as a classic murder is one thing that isn't justifiable in this society, but to me that seems a bit far-fetched. I'd like to talk about the ending again, because that was the most suspense ive ever felt while watching a movie. When Doe was talking how and why he committed the murders, my only question was, "What's going to happen next" Because Doe wouldn't have asked to be taken out to the middle of no where for a reason, finding that body or whatever was obviously false, even to the viewer. It gradually dawned on me what he was talking about, and my jaw dropped. I was so shocked after that happened, because it was so damn unexpected. Did you guys like the ending? Personally, I hated it, but its probably the most memorable one I've ever watched.
I think there is message he's trying to get across even if its subtle. A lot of movies have subtle message that people don't see. I really think he's trying to get some message acrossed.
Hunter I don’t know if the ending was the most suspenseful part for me...I would have to say either when they are chasing after Doe when they are outside Doe's apartment… or when they broke into that one apartment with a bunch of SWAT/ cops when they found that nearly dead guy...
After having more time to think about my “why” question. I believe the reason why Fincher related John Doe and Detective Somerset was to create the possibility that Doe is not insane, that he is not the devil, and that he is "just a man".
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