30 Day Film Challenge-Day 4

​A film with a number in the title

Today's film title literally IS a number but also often stylizes the title as Se7en instead of Seven. I missed this one when it originally came out and I have to credit my wife for recommending it a few years back. I often shy away from the psychological thriller films, just out of habit, but often find them surprising by how much they grab my attention and make me think, even when they steer toward popcorn flicks.

While all the lead actors in this film had been working for some time, the film came out before Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, and Gwyneth Paltrow were the fully household names they are today. The pairing of the youngster Pitt with the veteran Freeman was perfect, and they played well off each other as they chased down John Doe, played to perfection by Spacey. Of course, Spacey has seen a fall from grace lately, but this is one in a long line of complete asshole characters on his resume.

The one thing I remember about the film is just how gritty it is. Granted, the subject matter is dirty and grisly, but the whole feel of the film was one of being dirty, surely an intentional ploy by the filmmakers to get the audience to search through their own feelings, trying to figure out which of the seven deadly sins they are most apt to fall victim to.

<SPOILERS AHEAD>

​For those who have seen the film, the ending hits you right where it counts. The fact that Pitt ultimately kills Doe in a rage feels both satisfying and infuriating at the same time. Satisfying because it’s probably what most people would feel like doing upon finding out your girlfriend was killed, and the killer is right in front of you. Infuriating because as the audience, we want Pitt’s character to rise above the bait, to prove that even in that moment of rage, anyone is capable of being better than the evil Doe.

Available on HBOMax.

Day 3 - A film that has more than five words | Day 5 - A film where a character had a job you want

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