Seven is one of the more obvious films to write about, but I just can’t resist talking about this film. It’s got one of the best screenplays of the past 30 years and is for me, the David Fincher film.
Script writer Andrew Kevin Walker does an amazing job with this script, and in doing so, he almost makes the killer (played with relish by Kevin Spacey) the author of his own film. Fincher does a wonderful job of realising the potential of the script and brings career best performances from the cast.
As well as the excellent script, cast and direction – we also have glorious production design and photography to die for. Fincher films the frame with rain, darkness and permanent gloom. There are sunny scenes which usually reflect things getting even worse for the protagonists.
A script this good rarely comes along often, either in the movies generally or in a script writer for hire’s career. One look at the Andrew Kevin Walker’s other credits confirms that lightening doesn’t always strike twice, although I quite like the similar themed but deeply flawed 8mm (I also don’t really mind Wolfman).
The film is classic, and has one of the great downbeat endings (similar to The Thing). Hollywood of course hates downbeat endings, but kudos to Brad Pitt who insisted that the ending of the film remain in place. And look out for R L Emery and Mark Boone Junior, good in small roles.
So, 14 films to go…
Matthew Cooper has written for Emmerdale, Eastenders and Hollyoaks. He was winner of the first ever Lloyds Bank Channel Four Film Challenge and the Oscar Moore Screenplay Prize. He’s been BAFTA shortlisted and Royal Television Society nominated for his work on Emmerdale. His first short film starred Ewan McGregor and was picked up by Channel Four in 1994. He’s been a script consultant, script writer for hire and filmmaker for hire for over 20 years.