SE7EN (4 Stars)

This is the January selection for the "Best Of Cinema" series. Usually the film is shown on the first Tuesday of the month, but it's been shifted to Friday this week for reasons unknown to me.

It's a film I've never seen before. I admit that I was put off by the film's title. It's pronounced seven, but it's written with a 7 instead of the V. Some people might think it's cool; I think it's stupid. The only advantage of misspelling the title is that it won't be confused with the Andy Sidaris film called "Seven".

"Se7en" – I hate typing that word! – was filmed in Los Angeles, but according to reviews it takes place in an unnamed fictional city. Why not just call it Los Angeles? The action takes place in grubby little streets, carefully avoiding any well known landmarks. Morgan Freeman plays William Somerset, a detective seven days before his retirement. He's joined by David Mills, a young, impulsive detective who's been transferred from a smaller city. Somerset wants to get away from violent crime, Mills is looking for it. They spend Somerset's last week working together.

There are a series of seemingly unrelated deaths. The victims have no connection to one another and come from all walks of life. At the scene of the first death the word "gluttony" is written on the wall. At the scene of the second death the word "greed" is written on the floor. The detectives surmise that they're the first two victims of a serial killer who's basing his murders on the seven deadly sins.

The killer might seem mad, but he's a very calm, religiously motivated man. He doesn't care if he's captured, as long as he can carry out his seven murders first. He wants to send the world a message that committing any of the seven deadly sins is a greater sin than traditional crimes and should be punished accordingly.

It's a good film, but is it best of cinema? That's a matter of taste. It won't ever enter my top films list.

Success Rate:  + 7.9

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