Evaluating the Review of Seven by Derek Michael
Malcolm.
As the President of the British Federation of film Societies, Derek Michael Malcolm, is considered to be one of the greatest British Film reviewers. This specific review was written in order to evaluate the movie Seven by David Fincher and was published on January 4th 1996 by The Guardian.
As the President of the British Federation of film Societies, Derek Michael Malcolm, is considered to be one of the greatest British Film reviewers. This specific review was written in order to evaluate the movie Seven by David Fincher and was published on January 4th 1996 by The Guardian.
Derek Malcolm starts with an overview of the plot
using his linguistic eloquence in order to set a mood that “mirrors the mindset
of the twisted serial killer”. Although surprised by the movie’s success in the
USA, unlike other movies of this genre, he considers it notable despite its minor
technical drawbacks and the “brackish taste” it leaves in the mouth. He covers
various aspects of the movie such as: background, plot, reception, character
analysis, overall atmosphere, problems that have occurred as well as his
opinion about the outstanding features of the film.
The review has a clear cut structure, developing each
argument and aspect of the movie in a different paragraph, thus making it
coherent and easy to read. The style is formal overall in order to support the
thorough analysis of the features of the film, with the trademark deictic tone
of the reviewer being evident throughout. This however, may cause some problems
to non-native speakers since they might feel alienated due to the high register
of the language required to describe the “wet, windy and dilapidated hell-hole”
portrayed in the film. The reviewer seems like a complete expert and avoids
addressing the readers in order to keep the review as subjective/objective as
possible.
Moreover Derek Malcolm’s opinion is very well
supported and to the point, since he avoids getting into details and focuses
only on the notable features or flaws of the movie. The great plus of his
review is that he appeals to the reason of the reader by setting a clear path
for him via his technical expertise. Like informing the readers, about the way
Fincher, unlike his previous movies, suggests more violence than meets the eye.
To sum up Derek Michael Malcolm, has made a great job on the technical aspect evaluation of the film. His review has a clear cut structure, which makes it easy to read, it is segmented in neat paragraphs, each of which analyses a different feature of the movie. His expertise is widely known and his deictic tone in combination with his high linguistic competence makes his review seem like a reliable source of information. On the down side, the fact that he avoids to address to the audience makes the review faceless in a way, which makes the readers unable to identify with him and therefore cautious to accept his opinion. Apart from the distance created between the audience and the reviewer, a great review with a high register, which keeps the readers interested and well informed.
To sum up Derek Michael Malcolm, has made a great job on the technical aspect evaluation of the film. His review has a clear cut structure, which makes it easy to read, it is segmented in neat paragraphs, each of which analyses a different feature of the movie. His expertise is widely known and his deictic tone in combination with his high linguistic competence makes his review seem like a reliable source of information. On the down side, the fact that he avoids to address to the audience makes the review faceless in a way, which makes the readers unable to identify with him and therefore cautious to accept his opinion. Apart from the distance created between the audience and the reviewer, a great review with a high register, which keeps the readers interested and well informed.
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