Textual Analysis
Textual Analysis, Seven (David Fincher, 1995)
Jenevieve Hardy
In the opening of Seven (David Fincher, 1995) the protagonist, Detective William Somerset, is revealed in the first frame, an introduction into his life at work and home is shown, where a clear binary opposition is shown between his personal and work life style. The audience is also introduced to another main character, Detective David Mills, where he is introduced as the new guy, very unclear of his surroundings and shown as less important from the main protagonist. The opening is very rough and raw this is portrayed through the use of dark lighting and lack of colour throughout, this sets the mood as very cold and uninviting.
The audience is first placed in Detective William Somerset’s house, where the lighting is very bland as only black and white is shown, this signifies the lack of excitement in Somerset’s lifestyle. The only diegetic sound which is heard are the police sirens and loud noises of shouting in the background, this is clear that Somerset lives in a busy city, this would also suggest that he may have a busy work life, supporting the idea that he lives alone and his lack of social life. Rain can be heard in the background throughout the opening sequence, this anchors the lighting as the mood is dull.
The opening cuts to show Somerset’s morning routine, step-by-step the audience are taken through his routine. With a number of close ups and medium close up’s used Somerset is signified as an elder, professional and wise man, who the audience are able to connect with more through the use of close up’s. A close-up on Somerset’s badge and gear are in a straight parallel line to the order which he picks them up, this suggests that he has been doing this for a while and is used to the routine.
The opening then quickly cuts to a murder scene where at this point it is clear that the film is a thriller rather than a horror, this is connoted through the way in which the murder scene is presented
Jenevieve Hardy
In the opening of Seven (David Fincher, 1995) the protagonist, Detective William Somerset, is revealed in the first frame, an introduction into his life at work and home is shown, where a clear binary opposition is shown between his personal and work life style. The audience is also introduced to another main character, Detective David Mills, where he is introduced as the new guy, very unclear of his surroundings and shown as less important from the main protagonist. The opening is very rough and raw this is portrayed through the use of dark lighting and lack of colour throughout, this sets the mood as very cold and uninviting.
The audience is first placed in Detective William Somerset’s house, where the lighting is very bland as only black and white is shown, this signifies the lack of excitement in Somerset’s lifestyle. The only diegetic sound which is heard are the police sirens and loud noises of shouting in the background, this is clear that Somerset lives in a busy city, this would also suggest that he may have a busy work life, supporting the idea that he lives alone and his lack of social life. Rain can be heard in the background throughout the opening sequence, this anchors the lighting as the mood is dull.
The opening cuts to show Somerset’s morning routine, step-by-step the audience are taken through his routine. With a number of close ups and medium close up’s used Somerset is signified as an elder, professional and wise man, who the audience are able to connect with more through the use of close up’s. A close-up on Somerset’s badge and gear are in a straight parallel line to the order which he picks them up, this suggests that he has been doing this for a while and is used to the routine.
The opening then quickly cuts to a murder scene where at this point it is clear that the film is a thriller rather than a horror, this is connoted through the way in which the murder scene is presented