Director: David FincherStarring: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow
Why is it a masterpiece?
1. The intricacy of the script is awesome in the way that its brilliance can only be understood once the film is finished. This keeps the viewer guessing throughout the whole film.
2. The 'secret' inclusion of Kevin Spacey as John Doe is ingenious. Spacey is able to create a chillingly memorable villain with minimal screen time. Credit must be given to Fincher and Spacey for choosing to keep this casting secret before the film's release.
3. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman both give incredibly subtle and brilliant performances. Freeman's one-two punch of this film and The Shawshank Redemption the previous year is one of the best in film history.
4. The ending, which has to be seen to be believed. The final scenes wrap up the narrative perfectly while elevating the rest of the film to a higher class of film making.
5. The diner scene. Masterful dialogue and performances from Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow provide the film (and Detective Somerset) with a large dose of humanity.
The best bit?
The ending in the field, hands down.
