David Fincher has made his name by crafting iconic crime thrillers. These often complex and dark movies have garnered a huge fan following in the history of film. His style is known for intensity while still presenting the audience an emotionally rich experience.
David Fincher’s Directorial Style
Known for meticulous attention to detail and unique stylistic choices he brings out emotion in his audience that can often be unnerving but also a true portrayal. All the aspects together with narrative intensity have been common with his productions. Fincher does more than just show a visual and is intent on showcasing the underlying message.
Character Driven Story Telling
His direction tends to have a large emphasis on characters allowing their individual complexity and back stories to push the main plot. All together it is a unique display that captivates the view by creating an attachment to each character that pushes along any storyline he has a part in creating.
The Creation of "Se7en"
“Se7en” released in 1995 became a game changer in the genre. The film tells a haunting story about a serial killer inspired by the seven deadly sins. Many of those who view this as an iconic piece of cinema feel it created a mark for the 90's style thriller that would have high impact in multiple forms of cinema.
The Story Behind the Scenes
The idea for the film began by an aspiring screenwriter and with his unique viewpoint it eventually landed into the hands of David Fincher. Fincher wanted to maintain the grim tones within the script that created much controversy at its beginning phases of production. But its initial ending and cast were not quite the same during it's development.
Casting Challenges and Key Decisions
Though "Se7en" features now legendary cast members it's origin of character selection could have had a completely different result. Denzel Washington was one who did not end up working in the film which was a turning point for the actor and also led to many shifts in direction.
Denzel Washington's Missed Role
After several attempts to bring him on board for the project which were met with his decline, Denzel would admit in the past that his rejection to star was due to his belief that the movie was “too demonic” . Later after viewing it he realized that he had made a huge mistake turning it down even stating the decision became one of his biggest regrets. He did not know it at the time, but after viewing it the error was clear.
The Final Cast Selections
The final cast for "Se7en" ended up being Brad Pitt as David Mills with a portrayal of likability and charisma. Morgan Freeman had the mentor style performance which has led him into a multitude of character selections throughout his career. The iconic character John Doe, had Kevin Spacey. Fincher said many potential picks were offered but due to scheduling conflicts and differences those options failed to manifest making the actual characters more ideal to who they played on screen.
The Impact of “Se7en”
“Se7en” impacted both popular culture as well as future film production by setting new visual and narrative standards. It is now known for its dark atmosphere and unforgettable twists that remain highly recognizable through today's society.
Style and Influence
The bleak aesthetic of "Se7en" has been something of note. It created an overall tone which became iconic and it was one of its main stand out elements that drew viewership. It became popular for inspiring a look and feel of later projects and movies of similar genres such as thrillers, horror and crime stories. Even the intro credits for "Se7en" is often regarded as influential and revolutionary at the time.
A Look Back at the Past
Over time a restoration of "Se7en" has come to light and is now showing it's debut to new audiences by appearing in IMAX theaters. Along with that the production is on several platforms as 4K Blu-ray and streaming options becoming readily available. The remastered copy was made to be accurate to its original format and was made from an original camera negative. Fincher himself had the hand in bringing all new elements from the original film forward using methods of "reconstructing" the negative.
Fincher’s Technical Process
His approach to updating the film was not one done lightly. He was set on a path to do a detailed form of recreation with the original elements in mind with contrast, grain and color all being held as paramount with this project. This meant not creating just an updated 4k but reconstructing a visual concept in high detail that he himself envisioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the Ending Changed in Se7en?
The final act of "Se7en" is the most discussed. Originally director Jeremiah S Chechik desired a brighter more upbeat style. But David Fincher was a big supporter of using original tones by keeping the original plot.
Is The Head Prop In “Se7en” and “Contagion” The Same?
One popular rumor for many years has been that an actual prop of Gwyneth Paltrow was used in both "Se7en" and "Contagion" which is a debunked theory. According to Fincher the actual head was not filmed only some elements such as strands of her hair were used as props.
Key Takeaways
- David Fincher is noted for his directorial work which provides a blend of intensity along with detailed character arcs.
- “Se7en” his 1995 crime thriller became a turning point for thriller/crime genre with visual styles that became iconic.
- The filming process was not a direct process but it brought some interesting elements in casting when multiple actors passed or had to be replaced.
- The film itself had a major impact on film techniques, set styles and a dark aesthetic which helped establish new levels of filmmaking standards.
- David Fincher has recently brought the movie back in a remastered version with a complete recreation of its original version.