Seven - Male Gaze vs. The Devil's Advocate - Male Gaze

Attribute	Seven - Male Gaze	The Devil's Advocate - Male Gaze
Main Characters	Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman	Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino
Director	David Fincher	Taylor Hackford
Release Year	1995	1997
Setting	Gritty urban environment	New York City
Plot	Serial killer investigation	Lawyer tempted by the devil

Introduction

Male gaze is a concept that has been widely discussed in film theory, referring to the way in which visual media often portrays women from a heterosexual male perspective. In this article, we will compare the attributes of male gaze in two popular films, Seven and The Devil's Advocate. Both films have been praised for their storytelling and performances, but how do they handle the male gaze?

Plot and Characters

Seven, directed by David Fincher, follows two detectives as they track down a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi. The film is dark and gritty, with a focus on the gruesome crimes committed by the killer. The female characters in Seven are mostly victims or peripheral figures, with little agency of their own. They are often seen through the eyes of the male protagonists, reinforcing the male gaze in the film.

The Devil's Advocate, directed by Taylor Hackford, tells the story of a young lawyer who is recruited by a powerful law firm run by the devil himself. The film explores themes of temptation and morality, with a strong focus on the protagonist's internal struggles. While the female characters in The Devil's Advocate are more complex and have their own motivations, they are still often objectified and sexualized, catering to the male gaze.

Visual Style

Both Seven and The Devil's Advocate have a dark and moody visual style that adds to the overall atmosphere of the films. Seven is known for its gritty cinematography and use of shadows to create a sense of dread and suspense. The film's focus on the gruesome crimes committed by the killer is often depicted in a voyeuristic manner, inviting the audience to witness the violence through the eyes of the male protagonists.

The Devil's Advocate, on the other hand, has a more polished and glamorous visual style, reflecting the high-powered world of the law firm and its wealthy clients. The film uses sleek camera work and luxurious settings to create a sense of opulence and temptation. The female characters in The Devil's Advocate are often portrayed in a seductive and alluring manner, catering to the male gaze and reinforcing traditional gender roles.

Character Development

In Seven, the female characters are mostly relegated to the role of victims or plot devices, serving to further the male protagonists' story arcs. They are often seen through the eyes of the male detectives, with little agency of their own. This reinforces the male gaze in the film, as the women exist primarily to be looked at and acted upon by the male characters.

In The Devil's Advocate, the female characters are more fleshed out and have their own motivations and desires. However, they are still often objectified and sexualized, catering to the male gaze. The protagonist's wife, played by Charlize Theron, is portrayed as a sexually alluring figure who becomes increasingly unhinged as the film progresses, serving as a foil to the male protagonist's internal struggles.

Themes and Messages

Both Seven and The Devil's Advocate explore themes of temptation, morality, and the nature of evil. Seven delves into the darkness of human nature, with the killer using the seven deadly sins as a twisted moral code. The film raises questions about justice and the limits of morality, with the male protagonists grappling with their own moral compasses.

The Devil's Advocate, on the other hand, focuses on the seductive nature of power and wealth, with the devil tempting the protagonist with promises of success and influence. The film explores the corrupting influence of ambition and the consequences of selling one's soul for material gain. The female characters in The Devil's Advocate often serve as symbols of temptation and desire, catering to the male gaze and reinforcing traditional gender roles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Seven and The Devil's Advocate use the male gaze to varying degrees in their portrayal of female characters. While Seven focuses more on the victimization of women and their objectification through the eyes of the male protagonists, The Devil's Advocate presents more complex female characters who still cater to the male gaze. Both films raise important questions about gender representation in media and the ways in which women are often portrayed from a heterosexual male perspective.