2. Detective Somerest - Se7en
David Fincher's impossibly dark masterpiece features Freeman as a mentor and partner to Brad Pitt's hot-headed young detective, David Mills. The contrast between Freeman and Pitt's characters is what is key here. Freeman, as he always seems to, is the sage with encyclopaedic knowledge and his veteran wisdom is the perfect contrast to Pitt's youthful recklessness. Fincher lets us into this grim world where the rain never relents and exposes us to a nightmare of inventive murders and psychological desperation. Freeman becomes like a father to Pitt and the senior detective has the welfare of the young detective and his wife close to heart. Freeman acts as the confidant to Mills' wife and is as devastated as the young man when he realises just what is in that box. Freeman's scenes with Gwyneth Paltrow exhibits some of his finest work as they are quiet and heartfelt and Fincher tones down his style whilst they interact, putting character at the forefront. Freeman's partnership with Pitt in Se7en is the heart of the movie, and it's still surprising that neither of the leads got big awards attention.