The clearest representation of Fincher’s eye in this film (for me). And while I missed a lot of what Salon’s Seitz identifies here, I recognized it as the centerpiece of the film. Viewers are trained to see obvious artfulness as moments that require reflection. As if artists expect us to not pay attention, so they shake us a bit with their craft to assure we know we are meant to think and participate, not simply watch.  The act of looking itself is not always considered an active one.

It should be, of course. Art history 101. Film 101. And, more obviously, the primary function of Illustrated Texts.