Delving into Darkness: The Creation of the Unsettling Masterpiece That is "Se7en"
Introduction
David Fincher's Se7en isn't merely a film; it's a chilling landmark in cinematic storytelling, a visceral descent into the abyss of human depravity. This neo-noir thriller didn't just redefine its genre; it burrowed under the skin of audiences with its unrelenting narrative and disturbingly beautiful visuals. Let's unravel the intricate journey and the bold creative decisions that forged Se7en into a modern classic, a film that continues to haunt and fascinate decades later.
The Incubation of a Grim Vision in Gritty New York
The seeds of Se7en's darkness were sown in the gritty reality of 1980s New York City, a landscape that profoundly impacted screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker. Originally from suburban Pennsylvania, Walker's move to Astoria, Queens, in the mid-1980s placed him in stark contrast to his previous life. He found employment at Tower Records, which, as the transcript notes, was far from the sanitized corporate version of today. Instead, it mirrored the gritty streets depicted in films like Taxi Driver, a film Walker deeply admired.
Walker initially saw his writing as an escape, declaring his stint at Tower Records would be his "last week." However, that "last week" stretched into three years. His daily immersion in the city's social decay, fueled by the crack epidemic, plunged him into a cycle of depression. This environment, however, became a perverse muse.
As a side job to his record store employment, Walker also worked part-time for a local film company called Bryson Entertainment, specializing in exploitation films. His daily commute exposed him to the raw underbelly of the city, where he felt he witnessed a sin at every turn. This inspired him to conceive the story of a serial killer who used the seven deadly sins as the macabre framework for his murders.
While initially envisioning the project for Bryson Entertainment, Walker recognized its potential and decided to pursue larger opportunities. He described the script as a "love letter to New York," a way to process the cultural shock of transitioning from suburbia to a dense urban environment amidst social crisis.
The transcript also highlights specific ways Walker's experiences shaped the script. For instance, the scene where Tracy awakens, seemingly observed by John Doe from outside, reflects Walker's sense of unease and vulnerability in the city. The seemingly incongruous detail of the subway's delayed arrival during the dinner scene is explained by Walker's real-life experience of subway disruptions caused by tragic events, adding a layer of unsettling realism. These details underscore how deeply Se7en is rooted in Walker's personal experiences.
A Bleak Script Finds an Uncompromising Director
Walker's journey to bring his unsettling vision to life wasn't without resistance. The familiar Hollywood impulse for palatable endings reared its head, with studio pressures pushing for a more optimistic conclusion. Penta Pictures initially acquired the script with Jeremiah Chechik, known for films like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, attached to direct. An eleventh-hour version of the script even featured a conventional thriller ending where Somerset and Mills rescue Tracy.
However, fate intervened in the form of a fortunate error. When the script landed on David Fincher’s desk, it was the uncompromised, bleak original – the infamous "head in the box" draft – that he received. He immediately embraced its darkness. When Fincher's agent informed him of the "happier" revised ending, Fincher stood his ground, insisting on the original's grim conclusion. This pivotal moment ensured that Se7en would remain unflinchingly true to its dark core. New Line Pictures' involvement brought further pressure for a less bleak ending from producer Arnold Kopelson. At one point, the ending was altered to have Somerset kill John Doe. However, this was changed as it would have undermined the idea of Mills' lust being a contributing factor to John Doe's death.
The Alchemy of Casting and Navigating Creative Tides
The casting of Se7en was a delicate dance, with key actors like Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman aligning themselves with the film on the condition that the original, devastating ending remained intact. Interestingly, Denzel Washington, initially considered for the role of Mills, ultimately stepped away, citing the film's pervasive darkness – a decision he later openly regretted. After seeing Legends of the Fall, Fincher recruited Brad Pitt, who agreed on the condition that the original "head in the box" ending was used. Morgan Freeman's casting was also surprising to Fincher, who considered Freeman's image and voice too "wholesome" for the grim material. However, Freeman embraced the challenge and supported Fincher in maintaining the original ending. Ultimately, Arnold Kopelson conceded, and the infamous ending was preserved.
Fincher's original desire was to cut to black immediately after Mills shoots John Doe, followed by the credits. However, Kopelson advocated for a slightly more hopeful moment before the film's conclusion. This compromise led to the inclusion of Somerset's Hemingway quote. The transcript emphasizes the pivotal nature of the accidental delivery of the original script to Fincher, suggesting that the film we know and its impact might never have come to fruition otherwise.
Painting a World of Shadow and Sin: Visual and Technical Brilliance
Se7en's distinctive visual language was born from the potent synergy between Fincher and his key collaborators: cinematographer Darius Khondji and title designer Kyle Cooper. At this point in his career, Fincher was already well-known for his visually arresting work in commercials and music videos, notably for Madonna and Janet Jackson. His experience on Alien 3, where he clashed with the studio over creative control, fueled his determination to have greater autonomy on Se7en. While Alien 3 was visually impressive, Fincher felt the final product was compromised by studio interference. Walker's original script for Seven reignited Fincher's passion and convinced him to take on another studio film.
Fincher assembled a team of visual masters, many with whom he'd collaborated in the commercial world. Khondji masterfully evoked a modern film noir aesthetic, drawing inspiration from the shadowed depths of classics like Klute and Malice, both shot by the renowned cinematographer Gordon Willis. Fincher and Khondji also used photographer Robert Frank's book The Americans as a visual reference. Khondji employed the then-new and uncommon Kino Flo fluorescent lights to achieve a top-lit effect reminiscent of Willis's style. This also gave a more realistic feel than the harsher "blue" light of HMI lights.
Innovative techniques, such as the bleach bypass process, intensified the film's stark contrast and gritty texture, mirroring the moral decay at its center. This process, involving retaining a layer of silver in the film print, created a unique tactile quality to the darker areas of the image, a look difficult to replicate digitally. When exhibitors saw a reel of footage demonstrating this technique, they were eager to secure the rights to show the film.
Cooper’s groundbreaking title sequence, a frenetic descent into the killer's disturbed psyche, became an iconic piece of cinematic artistry, immediately establishing Se7en's unsettling tone. The original opening concept involved Somerset contemplating retirement in an idyllic rural setting, with the opening titles depicting his return to the city and the visuals becoming progressively darker.
However, Cooper proposed showcasing the killer's psychology from the outset. Inspired by the disturbing photography of Joel-Peter Witkin and the opening titles of To Kill a Mockingbird, Cooper created a sequence using close-ups of John Doe's notebooks set to a Nine Inch Nails remix. The titles themselves were created from extensive experimentation with film, including techniques like hitting the camera, manipulating the shutter, moving the title during filming, and placing objects on the lens. The editor then selected the most compelling visuals from this footage. The resulting title sequence became one of the film's most discussed elements and has influenced countless imitators.
The notebooks themselves were meticulously crafted by a team of artists who spent months handwriting their contents. They were given disturbing source materials, including an actual suicide note from a prisoner, complete with ink smeared by tears. The realism of these props was so unsettling that the cast's reactions to handling them on screen were genuine.
A Lasting Stain on the Cultural Landscape
Despite initial studio reservations, Se7en exploded onto the cinematic scene, becoming a significant box office success and indelibly etching itself into the cultural consciousness. It was a critical and commercial triumph, landing on Roger Ebert's top 50 films of all time and earning recognition from American Cinematographer for its groundbreaking visuals, editing, and title design. It became the seventh highest-grossing film of 1995.
A sequel, tentatively titled Eight, was planned, exploring Somerset's acquisition of psychic abilities to connect with serial killers. However, Fincher and the original cast rejected the concept, and it was redeveloped into the unrelated film Solace, starring Anthony Hopkins.
Se7en stands alone as a powerful and disturbing meditation on the human condition, disguised as a serial killer procedural. It is a striking and horrifying spectacle of flesh and sinew, achieved largely without explicit violence, yet perceived as one of the most violent films ever made. The film has endured as a classic, feeling as relevant and impactful today as upon its release. Fincher's ambition to emulate classic films with bleak endings, such as Klute and Chinatown, was fully realized. Se7en allowed Fincher to move past his troubled experience with Alien 3 and establish himself as a major directorial force. All of this, the transcript reminds us, was made possible by the accidental delivery of the original "head in the box" script.
Adding a final interesting detail, the transcript reveals that screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker makes a cameo appearance as the first corpse seen in the film.
Conclusion
Se7en endures as a potent and influential force in film culture, a testament to the power of uncompromising artistic vision and stark storytelling. It serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that original narratives can have when creators stand firm in their convictions. Andrew Kevin Walker's subtle nod to his foundational role – his brief appearance as the first victim – acts as a quiet acknowledgment of the genesis of this timeless and unsettling cinematic journey.
Thank you for delving into the shadows of Se7en with us. We encourage you to share your own interpretations and insights in the comments below. Stay tuned for more explorations into the captivating world of film and media. Until our next discussion, may your own journeys into cinema be thought-provoking.
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