Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo
Overall Rating: 98.0
Based on the true story of the Zodiac Killer during the 70's, "Zodiac" is David Fincher's homage to not only one of the greatest serial killers in U.S. history, but the lives of those tasked with tracking the notorious killer and the effects felt even by those who weren't victims.
The beginning of "Zodiac" feels like any other suspense thriller about a serial killer: dark road, unseen figure, murdered teenagers, etc. However, as the audience soon realizes, "Zodiac" isn't necessarily about the Zodiac Killer, but rather the people whose lives were forever tormented by the killings in an indirect way. The newspaper reporter who unknowingly finds himself as a target, the police detectives who see years go by without any new leads, and the cartoonist who has a penchant for cracking codes and puzzles all obsess in their own destructive ways about finding this mysterious killer.
Based on the book by Robert Graysmith (the aforementioned cartoonist who ultimately cracked Zodiac's code), the majority of the film follows Graysmith's character (Gyllenhaal) on his quest to uncover the killers identity, if only for himself. Along the way, Graysmith creates bonds with Paul Avery (Downey), the popular San Francisco Chronicle reporter following the case and Dave Toschi, the lead detective on the case throughout the years.
It's these relationships that carry the suspense of the film. Sure, when the audience is occasionally shown the killer and his victims there is plenty of suspense, but those scenes primarily lay the foundation as to why the other characters feel the need to catch this man.
Taking place in 1970's San Francisco, director Fincher manages to stay ultra-realistic in his setting. This being Fincher's first "period piece", everything seems appropriate in its setting. While it is the 70's, and especially San Francisco, Fincher avoids the use of hippies, flower power, and tie-dye, and instead sticks with his trademark darkness. There are plenty of visuals to take you back to the time, including the clothing the detectives wear, the automobiles, and even a time-lapse of the Transamerica Pyramid building in downtown S.F.
David Shire's soundtrack also completely encompasses the suspense of the subject matter, and allows the audio to pour out of the screen. Right off the bat, Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" sets the immediate tone for the film. Plenty of under-appreciated songs of the 70's make their way into the film, each providing an ample tone for the scene they represent.
"Zodiac" takes the role of the murder-mystery and completely encapsulates the audience into asking questions. Every time you as a viewer think they've found the missing piece to the puzzle, you realize the piece in question was to a completely different puzzle all together. "Zodiac" keeps you guessing until the very end, and even though the film takes a few liberties based on Graysmith's theories involving the murderer's identity, knowing the actual killer was never identified only makes the suspense of the film stand out so much more. It's a gripping drama that makes you feel for the characters, but also engulfs you in the mystery of the identity of the killer.
Individual Ratings
Enjoyment Factor: 10
Dialogue: 9
Acting: 9
Direction: 10
Audio/Visual: 10
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