In the opening scenes of Se7en, the main characters, detectives played by Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, are introduced. Freeman's character is shown getting ready for work in an organized, precise manner, suggesting he is experienced and proud. Shots are used that establish both characters as dominant but equal in power. The mise-en-scene shows Freeman's character using a metronome to sleep, possibly due to guilt, and it beats seven times, referencing the film's title. Rapid editing cuts suggest the story will move quickly and show how Freeman's character is accustomed to crime scenes. Diegetic sounds create tension between the scenes and music, leaving the viewer wondering what will happen next.

1. Textual Analysis – ‘Se7en’
Firstly, the opening seconds of ‘Se7en’ brings many questions to the viewer. Like most other
films, I the opening scenes of this film, the main character is featured in it. In this case, the
main character is getting up out of bed and getting dressed for work, which we soon realise
that he is a detective. After this, the other main character is introduced into the shot and is
the detectives’ new partner and acts fairly cocky towards him. Due to this happening, the
main character played by Morgan Freeman confronts him and says ‘I know this city’. This
has an effect on the viewer as it suggests that this character may be really experienced in the
work that he is doing and has lived in the city for many years and has seen every possible
dilemma that you can face in his line of work. This makes this character seem quite
mysterious in terms of his background and his history and makes the viewer want to find
out what his story actually is and who he really is.
In the opening sequence of this film, combinations of shots are used to open the film. For example, we see a
male character (Morgan Freeman) at the start of the opening sequence. A point of view shot is used to show
how this character is neatly organised by having equipment laid out precisely in order and shows how he
places each piece of equipment onto his body. For example, placing pens in his shirt or trouser pocket. This
connotes to the audience that this character has a certain lifestyle to be organised and precise about what he
is doing. Also, an over the shoulder shot is used when this character is looking in the mirror; he is adjusting
the collar on the shirt that he is wearing. This again connotes to the audience that this character is a man of
pride, and therefore likes to take care of his appearance.
There is also the use of a low angle shot in the opening scenes of this film. For example, the shot which is
pictured shows a low angle shot on both of the detectives in the shot. This suggests that both of the
characters in this shot are very dominant over others but not dominant of each
other due to the fact that the low angle shot makes then both look intimidating
but are the same height level in the shot, showing that there is an equal amount
of power here.
The mise-en-scene in the opening titles of this film makes us
wonder what is wrong with the detective who is played by
Morgan Freeman. For example, a metronome is used when the
character wants to sleep. The beat ticks in time of the camera
moving back to him and back to the metronome which could show the passing of time for
him to be able to eventually fall asleep. This could also suggest that the metronome helps
him sleep at night because of guilt that he may or may not have. Also, the metronome
beats approximately seven times before the camera cuts back onto the characters face
which links in with the title of the film.
In terms of editing, there are a lot of cuts used. This could show the rapid movement which will take place
throughout the film and that the story will move along at a fast pace and could also show that in this city,
everyone is vulnerable. One cut that stands out in particular is when the character played by Morgan
Freeman is waking up and getting ready for work like any other normal person, it cuts to him at the scene of
a crime. This suggests to the viewer that this is normal for him and deals with things like this on a daily
basis. This also ties in with the fact that this character is very experienced in his line of work and he knows
the city very well and more than anyone else.
Finally, throughout the opening titles of this film, there was a lot of diegetic sound that was used. For
example, street noise, and sounds of footsteps and sounds of photographs in the crime scene all relate to real
life situations that are explored. Also, there are discordant sounds playing in the background with what is
happening on the screen. This creates a tension and a sense of uncomforting feelings towards the viewer. This
then leaves us on a cliff hanger on to what is going to happen next and throughout the film itself.