Seven (1995) / Brad Pitt Filmography

Summary: Detective William Sommerset (Morgan Freeman) with one week left before retirement, he is assigned a new partner in the form of an immature, thrill seeking Detective David Mills, who is played by Brad Pitt. This movie marks the second time in my mind that I have had the chance to see Brad Pitt play a role that really defined him as an actor: the first time being 12 MONKEYS. Brad acts, and he acts well, without carrying over his pretty boy persona. As in 12 MONKEYS Brad is not afraid to be either ugly or unsexy in his role. Nowhere in this film is there a moment of "pose". Brad instead becomes the character of David Mills. Playing opposite the talented AND skilled Morgan Freeman, it was vital that Brad carry his half of the burden. Pitt performs admirably alongside the veteran Freeman and these two together, with their teamwork and conflicts, produce a marvelous "buddy" movie whose every interaction rings true.

These two men are on the trail of a demented serial killer. One who is killing people according to the punishments of the Seven Deadly Sins. The first to be found is an obese man who was killed by being forced at gunpoint to stuff himself with food until his digestive organs burst internally, thus killing him. The sophisticated, but world weary Sommerset finds that the murder may be more than it appears, and with a second seemingly separate murder, the old Detective sets himself on the trail of a serial killer. Unfortunately, no one else realizes that Sommerset knows what he is talking about, despite his years of experience. Certainly not his new partner, who has yet to respect or earn the respect, of Sommerset. But then comes the third grisly murder, and each one is worse than the one before. The story and pacing of the film takes us slowly down into the spiraling depths of the killer's depravity - sometimes appearing to wallow in it. The timed and careful movement of the film allows us to understand the severe nature of the various deaths, as opposed to throwing the bodies at us in a gore-hound loving spree of "Look what we can do next!" As such, the images of death and suffering are that much more acute, and the grim tale that unweaves before us takes us to places we not only didn't expect, but hoped the movie would not go.

Genres: Thriller, Drama, Crime

Runtime: 127 min.

Release Date: September 22, 1995.

MPAA Rating: Rated R for grisly afterviews of horrific and bizarre killings, and for strong language.

Country: USA

Language: English

Color: Color (DeLuxe)

Sound Mix: DTS / Dolby Digital

Distributor: Warner Bros.

Cast and Credits:

Starring: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, John Cassini, Bob Mack

Directed by: David Fincher