Opening sequence (Se7en)

Se7en opening

Seven is a detective thriller released in 1995; starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey. The film is based on two detectives on the hunt for a serial killer in an unidentified city which appears to be dystopian due to a constant sense of urban decay.

As the scene starts we are introduced to Morgan Freemans character; Detective William Somerset. He appears to be a lonely man as there is a soundscape of a city around him but no sound within his apartment other than the sounds he is making himself. The fact he is alone without any family reinforces this loneliness; we can hear his neighbour’s TV in the background juxtaposing with the tranquillity of his own living space. In shallow focus, we can identify a chest board which connotes intellect and suggests he is quite a calculated person who considers all his options before making a decision. Furthermore, we can see a wooden elephant on his work top which could suggest his ethnic background; possibly African-American. We then cut to a medium close of Somerset doing his tie neatly suggesting he likes to be presentable and prides himself on his appearance and professionalism; suggesting his job is all he has left in the world – hence his loneliness.

A close-up of Somerset’s equipment/items he uses every day is shown on his dresser. He collects each item one by one, thus suggesting he is quite particular about the way he does things and likes to follow a routine. It is from these items we can identify his profession of a detective. As he goes to put on his suit, he picks a bit of fluff off it before he puts it on showing he wants everything to be perfect and in a certain way. After this a jump cut is used to take us to a crime scene where there is a dead man laying across the floor which blood pooling around the body. Detective Somerset walks towards the camera looking calm and collect; analysing his surroundings almost as if a dead body does not faze him, suggesting death is something very familiar in his life. Morgan Freemans character then asks “did the kid see it?” which shows he does not believe the story he has been told about the death and wants to see if there was a witness – alternatively he wants to make sure the child is ok, showing a warmer, caring side to him. The other detective on the scene questions him “what kind of fucking question is that?” which shows hostility; we then hear the detective say “We will all be glad when we get rid of you Somerset” which underpins Somerset’s loneliness in this dystopian environment and the fact he does not get along with anybody there because they hate him but once Brad Pitts character; Detective Mills arrives, he appears to have more confidence as if he has somebody he can talk to. This is shown by the way he speaks.

We then cut to outside on the cities pavement where Somerset and Mills are talking; there is a heavy downpour of rain showing a pathetic fallacy. As the both walk, a two shot is used backwards tracking and following them down the street. Somebody bumps into Mills, he reacts and looks as if he wants to say something about it but just carries on walking; possibly showing an ignorant nature because he thinks people should move out of his way, furthermore is could suggest he has a short fuse and is quick to anger. Mills also seems to have a lot more energy than long term resident of the city; Detective Somerset which could imply the city is very draining.

Judging from the opening sequence, these two characters are opposites of each other with Mills being reckless and Somerset being contempt. Some form of enigma is created by the end of the sequence because the audience want to know why Mills has shown up there and why a murder has just taken place. The audience may also be interested in the narrative between the two characters which all subsequently keeps the audience immersed. There are two identifiable themes/tones to this sequence; murder and loneliness – potentially suggesting murder and being near it causes you to become lonely; possibly foreshadowing the final events of the film.