This movie about two cops investigating a killer who is selecting and despatching his victims in a fiendish homage to the Seven Deadly Sins is one of the best serial killer thrillers on film in my opinion.
Those who don’t have the stomachs for horror turn their noses up at it, but if anything, it’s the power of suggestion that makes this film work and gruesome visual shocks remain minimal.
I remember this film causing a huge stir when it was released. We all spent hours discussing it. Which sin is the most disturbing was the hot topic for debate? Wrath, greed, gluttony, sloth, envy, pride or lust? Sloth, I recall, came out top in my then workplace.
Now this might sound a little sick (certainly if interpreted in the wrong way), but I found the serial killer’s creativity in this film inspiring.
Not too long after the film came out, I found myself struggling to find a present for a friend who was approaching a milestone birthday, until I decided to put a positive spin on sin and mark his big day with a playful pressie.
In a gift bag I placed a tin of his favourite sweets with a superglued lid, a remote control, a lottery ticket, a framed picture of a young sexy model, one of those beautiful homes magazines and a small mirror.
When I presented my friends with the sack of goodies, I told him there was a theme connecting the items. It took him four or five days to work it out, but work it out he did.
Se7en is showing on Five tonight at 10pm.
