Se7en Contexual Analysis

This is an analysis of the film se7en by David Fincher. This analysis will allow me to gain insight into  how a thriller is made and what makes and effective film.

Comments:

Mise en scene:
Sound:
Editing:
Camera angles:


Mise en scene:

In the mise en scene we see that both protagonists are smartly dressed which indicates they are professionals and treat their job seriously. We also see that there is a metronome on the table, metronomes are used by musicians to keep in tempo and prevent irregularity. The presence and use of the metronome could be symbolic gesture that Morgan Freeman has/ had a hectic and abnormal life and this is an attempt to keep his life 'in tempo'. The weather is also raining which helps to build the dull and morbid sense of the clip, indicating to the audience that something bad has happened or is about to.

Sound:

 In the opening to seven there is a constant use of sirens in the background which could be classed as quite natural in cities and implies there is always danger lurking round the corner somewhere. We also see one of the main characters: Morgan Freeman who is soon to be retiring in bed and starts a metronome. The metronome is creepy and discordant because it seems to hold the audience in a trance. This could also be seen as a metaphor for time ticking away because we learn from the opening that he is retiring soon. When the scene swaps to the opening credits a discordant and creepy beat/ song begins to play. The beat seems distorted, mixed, and warped, possibly reflecting the films narrative. There is also a beat every now and again that resembles a heartbeat. When Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt leave the crime scene it begins raining and it could be argued that the rain sounds louder than normal.

Editing:

Low key lighting is used throughout the clip which reflects the morbid atmosphere surrounding the main character and also helps set the mood for the audience as well. The opening credits is sketchy and seems to be broken which kind of helps set the idea to the audience that the film is going to be 'broken' and not your up-beat happy kind of film.