Seven textual analysis

In the opening sequence of Seven, the two detectives are walking down the street and the younger detective (Brad Pitt) keeps bumping into people portraying his character as inexperienced and reckless whereas the older detective (Morgan Freeman) doesn't bump into anyone which depicts his character as wiser and more composed on the job. Also in the mise en scene, Morgan Freeman's character requires a metronome to get to sleep which could infer that his job is keeping him up at night.

When the two detectives are walking down the street, a low angle tracking shot is used to place focus on the two men and could be shown to assert dominance and portray them as authority figures. An over the shoulder shot is used when Morgan Freeman's character is getting ready and it shows him wearing smart clothes which infers to us that this character takes pride in what they do. 

During the opening credits the sound is uneasy and the overall score has a discomforting effect on the viewer which makes it clear that they may find the film as a whole uncomfortable which may be the writers intention. Also the overall score is not synchronous to the movement and transitions of the titles which shows that there is something strange occurring and something not 100% there. This could reflect the type of thriller which is a psychological and people who have psychological issues are seen to be not fully there and with it, just like the sound and titles.

Editing is used to great effect in the opening titles, it uses cuts and they get quick as the sequence progresses, this creates suspense and leaves the viewer curios to what the film has to offer. Also the title sequence creates a sinister tone and is very dramatic which again builds suspense and leaves the viewers wondering what the thriller contains.

Textual analysis using 'Art of the Title'