Textual Analysis - Se7en

Camera angles, shots and movement; In the opening few minutes, this low angle shot of the two main characters, Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt we can see that they are on the same level and portrays the both characters as dominant subjects. This is one of the first face-to-face encounters that the two characters endure and throughout the scene we see learn about their relationship and their job together. Both characters fight for dominance when shown in the opening scenes however we soon realise Morgan Freeman is made to be more powerful as frequent shots are shown of him looking down at his partner and we start to see that other 'extras' in the shots move out of the way of his character compared to Brad Pitt, where the extras bump into him. Also the camera track Freeman which shows us who the audience is supposed to focus on throughout that scene. 

Editing; The opening scenes are very fast paced, in the first few minutes it goes through many different locations starting at Detective Somertset's home, moving onto the crime scene and then the outdoor streets and this makes us assume that the whole film will be a fast pace similar to many other thrillers and this helps keep the audience on the edge and gripped to the film.

Credits; In the opening credits there is a montage of graphic imagery and the camera quickly cuts from different objects and images and their is a odd soundtrack in the background. The book is the first initial shot of the opening being enigmatic and makes the audience immediately ask questions,


and the book is flicked through and we are left to imagine what it contains.  Books symbolise intelligence and this implies that that one of the characters, maybe the villain is likely to be devious and clever. Also the credits are white and in a jaggery text on a black background and as it cuts and stops this could portray the villain being unnerved. This matches the opening scene of the characters and Morgan Freeman walks down a street with his partner and although there are alarms going off in the background he continues to walk down the street completely unnerved which makes us question whether he is a suspect.

Mis-en-scene; The costumers and hairstyles given to the characters help us understand what their personalities are like and their roles. Somerset is first seen in a white shirt and this symbolises purity and creates a sense that he is a good character and his suit shows us he has an important job, an experienced detective. Mills is also shown in a white shirt as well as Somerset and infers they are both going to be heroes, however Mills appears younger than his partner and therefore comes across as more vulnerable.