SE7EN Analysis

NARRATICE STRUCTURE
The story of SE7EN is told through duel narrative. Yet there are also elements if certain narrative within it too. For example, alot of the parts of the film relate back to the number '7' [e.g. seven days, seven deaths, seven deadly sins...]. The overall structure to the film is linear, therefore the film is shown in chronological order.

THRILLER CODES AND CONVENTIONS
The film follows many of the typical thriller codes and conventions, including having a delayed, unexpected outcome. Another convention the film follows is the music genre, it is very dramatic and is used to build up tension throughout the film, creating suspence to the audience. Another, is that it is set in an urban landscape, similar to most thriller movies. Detective Mills [the 'hero'] starts out as a very ordinary person, who is put in an extra-ordinary situation [the exotic], and throughout the storyline, is portrayed to be a hero with a darker side, but regardless of this the audience still views him as being the hero and want him to succeed. These are all typical traits of a thriller genre movie.

CAMERAWORK
For alot of the scenes in the film, the camera is placed alongside both Detective Mills and Somerset. This has been done intentionally to make the audience feel included, as if they're also part of the team. Another interesting camera angle used, is when it is placed at a first person perspective [when filming in the helicopter, and when characters are running], the camera becomes more shaky to create a more realistic representation. Slow pans are also used throughout the film when details are being shown, it gives the audience a chance to take it all in. Alot of the time, the camera is seen looking up to John Doe, so as to emphasise his power and show how he is in control of situations.

MISE-EN-SCENE
Guns are used as props for both Detective Mills and Somerset. The difference is, however, that Mills has drawn his many times, and even shot and killed someone on one occasion, whereas Somerset has never used it and only ever very rarely draws it. This draws attention to the difference between them both. Another prop frequently used is torches; to highlight certain things, creating fear and suspence; only showing what the detectives can see, otherwise knows as partial vision. Throughout the film, the lighting is continuously dull/dimmed, which creates an eerie/scary atmosphere. The costumes for each detectives are notably different. Somerset's clothes are always neatly pressed, and of a traditional style [e.g. tweed]. Whereas Mills' are always more moden [e.g. leather.], and his tie is already done so he can just slip it on.

SOUND
Through the whole film, music is used to create tension, and is always non-diajetic. At the beginning of the film, during the opening credits, the music is very mechanical, and unnatural, which makes it seem haunting and eerie. A variety of sound effects are used throughout the film, including sirens, alarms, traffic, rain, trains and car horns, which create the sound of a busy [urban] city.

EDITING/GRAPHICS
The on-screen graphics at the beginning of the film emphasise a montage of gory, creepy images, which show the presence of the 'crazy' character that is John Doe. The graphics also make the film seem slightly more rough-around-the-edges, and are blurry and off-focus at time.