Textual analysis
- 1. The opening of the thriller movie- seven.
- 2. Editing The editing used in Seven is interesting as they cut from shot to shot quite quickly, fitting with the genre of the film, as thrillers are typically very fast paced.
- 3. Mise- en - scene Morgan Freeman’s character was dressed in a brown and grey shirt and tie, suggesting that he had a professional attitude towards his job. Furthermore the colours of his clothes seem washed out and dull, reflecting his age and how long he had been doing his job and suggesting that it didn’t excite him anymore. Another thing that was used to tell the audience about his personality is his apartment; it was very organised and bland, signifying that he liked order and everything to be done in a certain way and suggesting that his role at work was one of authority. In contrast to this, Brad Pitt’s character paired his shirt and tie with a leather jacket, making him seem rebellious, creating a “good cop- bad cop” effect, and showing the age difference between the two men. In addition to this, during the first few minutes of the film, Freeman set a ticking metronome, hinting that it is counting down the seconds until a crime of murder is going to happen, creating the sense of foreboding in the audience. Alternatively it could be symbolic of Freeman’s age and could be representing the fact that his life is ticking away.
- 5. Camera Shots Shot reverse shot is used when the characters are having a conversation to show the ease of speech between them and reflects their honesty as they did not pause to consider what to say next as the words just seemed to flow. Whilst the two characters are walking down the street a tracking shot is used to highlight Pitt’s character’s unawareness of his surroundings as he walks into people making him appear arrogant. Whereas Freeman's character walks confidently whilst negotiating the other people walking down the street making him seem in control of himself.
- 6. Sound A ticking metronome is used throughout the opening scene to build the tension and foreshadow what is to happen later in the scene, which is typical of the thriller genre. To add to this, the music played when the titling sequence begins is very atmospheric as it is increasingly menacing, which creates a tense atmosphere and suggests that something bad will happen to either heighten or relieve that tension. Directly after the opening credits, police sirens are heard, setting the scene and reinforcing the type of film it is.