Critique: Film> Reviews.

Whereas I did enjoy watching Seven, I don't feel the need to brag about it like most people do. You can appreciate the amount of effort that has gone into making the film (particularly with Andrew Kevin Walker's writing), but then you analyse other things -- such things as Pitt's performance -- and wonder why the hell people tend to rate it so highly.

The story is concerned with veteran detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and his cocky, younger partner Mills (Brad Pitt), as they investigate a series of murders based on the seven deadly sins. The first victim they meet is a cripplingly-obese man sat in his own urine and faeces. The word "gluttony" has been written on the wall behind the freezer, which they not only find disturbing, but rather fascinating.

Hardly the most beautiful opening to a film, but that's the whole idea of David Fincher's Seven; as the two cops uncover more killings, things get much more horrific. Fincher (Alien 3) and cinematographer Darius Khondji do a great job at developing a dark and disturbing atmosphere, which shocks and intrigues us about the nature of the killings. It's as if we can smell the stench in the hallways of the decaying buildings and taste the blood on the dead bodies. It's not a very pleasant experience, I know, but it's incredibly effective.

As far as performances go, Freeman commands the screen. He handles the investigations with authority and a hint of obsession; his performance grabs you and pulls you into the sick and twisted world that the law has to deal with. He's so convincing as a detective that you almost start to believe this is his actual profession.

The killer (I won't reveal his name) is also brilliantly cast. He's a character that you fear, but have a sense of fascination for at the same time. He's an intelligent, disgusting man that you genuinely begin to fear (I wouldn't want him living next door to him, put it that way).

And then there's Brad Pitt. I hardly hate the guy, but he just doesn't belong in a movie like this. He's a stereotypical, young sidekick: Reckless, stupid and irritably annoying. Seriously, his abilities as an actor are in question here; if you don't believe me, pay particular attention to him in the final scene -- his reaction is far from convincing.

It's a great shame because Pitt does really threaten to ruin the entire movie. Had it not been for him, I might have enjoyed Seven a lot more. That said, the film is still really compelling: It's dark and repulsive, and really captures your attention for most parts. You may want to avoid it if you flinch easily.

(C) Andy Carrington, 2009.