Molly Hetherington analysis of Se7en

Post by Molly Hetherington:

Se7en opening title analysis

In order to develop our ideas further and understand an opening title of a film of a similar genre, horror. For this I decided to choose and look at the movie Se7en, although many people may describe this as a thriller movie many of the features involve those of a horror nature. This is especially apparent in the opening title of the movie.

This 1995 production of the film Se7en is categorised as a crime film, including horror elements. It was directed by David Fincher and starred Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt. The music of this scene starts straight away, it is linked to mechanical sounds very similar to noises associated with clangs, having a metronome ticking and a beat, which could be linked to a heartbeat as it is synchronized. The mechanical interpretation could be linked to being un human almost psychopathic. This suggests that is very much about life, and a past pace film. The introduction of a creaking sound is very mysterious building the tension of the film, this could make the audience feel very uneasy as they may feel that they are being watched, making the audience witness this first hand, making us feel as if we are there seeing it for yourself. Although this film has many interpretations one of them suggesting age, it makes the viewer want to watch on as they want to find out what has happened and why there is this noise. There are many noises that are witnessed in this film with many of them being repeated throughout. The scratchy sound can be linked with wanting to escape or getting exciting at putting all these ideas together suggesting that they want to do it quickly, this could link to the persons character. The song in the background is Closer by 'Nine Inch Nails', as this slows down you are able to make out the lyrics which are 'you get me closer to God', this has a very strong link to the movie itself as it is about the idea of seven deadly sins. Due to the fast past and rhythm of the movie it make the audience feel uneasy from the very beginning. This sets the scene for the rest of the movie, identifying the genre from the very beginning. 

The lighting also links in with this, as it is very low key from the beginning, never really changing much. This creates a sense of mystery highlighting the genre of the film from the start.

The first image that we are introduced to if of a close up of a book looking at it from a head on position, this camera shot also makes us appear to be there as we are looking directly into the action. The book is opening a closing with the actor skimming pages, this makes the audience want to learn more and find out what is in the book. With the close up shot used it is already building the tension for the next shot.The colours used are very neutral however they are of a dull standard, being quite dark. They are beige and browns with black and white; this doesn't really change however we are introduced to red, which is immediately thought of as blood suggesting danger. The colours used almost look dirty suggesting that the book is either old or the character is a dirty person who has been working on it for a long time. The lighting helps to make this whole scene look eerie, with a great deal of shadows used. The screen then turns black showing credits that are in scratchy almost handwritten font, each of which look uneven and are placed in random selections on the screen. We can associate the fonts to have no discipline due to them being moved around. The text is also unreadable, this links in with  the past pace of the film I like how this has been done due to the effect that is has created, therefore I would like to use something of a similar nature.

The use of the black screen breaks up what is happening building the tension up with the music, working the audience making them want to see more and bracing themselves. The colour black represents danger and violence almost straight away sensing grim actions. Although we do not learn if the actor is male or female, we make the stereotypical assumption that they are male. This is because the hands look masculine, with the nails un kept and the hand being of a large size. However we do not know if it is just one character doing this, we cant be sure of this however only one person is implied. The enigma of 'who is this person?' is then created.  We also don't see his face this could suggest that he does not want to be seen adding to the mystery and the thriller genre of the film. This is apparent in the next shot that we see of it being a close up of a textured image of a pair of hands, which appear to be hand drawn. The lighting for this shot is also very dark creating the sense of mystery and danger. Due to not seeing a full person, only the hands and costume the props become very important. This is because they are all that you see, with each prop suggesting what is going to happen on in the film, having a significance. This helps to add to the confusion.

The shot of the male holding a old fashioned razor blade looks to be cutting his own skin on his own fingertips. However due to the fast pacing you are not actually sure what you have seen, leaving confusion and wishing that you hadn't of seen it. The enigma here is why would you want to do this? Suggesting that he doesn't want to get caught or his fingerprints to be tracked. This suggests something illegal.