Zodiac (2007/I)

Director: David Fincher

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal as Robert Graysmith, Mark Ruffalo as Inspector David Toschi, Anthony Edwards as Inspector William Armstrong, Robert Downey Jr. as Paul Avery, Brian Cox as Melvin Belli, John Carroll Lynch as Arthur Leigh Allen, Richmond Arquette as Zodiac 1 / Zodiac 2, Bob Stephenson as Zodiac 3, John Lacy as Zodiac 4, Chloë Sevigny as Melanie, Ed Setrakian as Al Hyman, John Getz as Templeton Peck, John Terry as Charles Thieriot, Candy Clark as Carol Fisher, Elias Koteas as Sgt. Jack Mulanax

Zodiac, David Fincher's film about the impact the San Francisco Bay
Area serial killer's case had on three primary characters is delivered
with great attention to detail and proper pacing. Zodiac is not a film
that uses or relies on suspended disbelief to succeed and does not
attempt to compress five years of story into one in order to keep
viewers interested. Instead it relies heavily on the facts and uses all
of its 158 minutes to present them in almost linear form and staccato
fashion.

Set primarily in San Francisco in the late 1960's and 70's (and
eventually the 80's) Fincher's Zodiac takes no artistic license by
adding the obligatory car chase scene down Russian Hill, drug enhanced
evening in Haight-Ashbury or conspiracy oriented behind the scenes
moves by City Hall. Instead the audience is presented with a credible
story that portrays how stress, tension, frustration and fascination
play upon the lives of S. F. Police Inspector David Toschi (Mark
Ruffalo), S.F. Chronicle Editorial Cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake
Gyllenhall), and S.F. Chronicle reporter Paul Avery (Robert Downey
Jr.). Each of these people, as well as those surrounding them are
operating well within the confines of every day life and the
establishment. Fincher does not let Zodiac wander outside its central
story, and therefore no editorial comment about the Vietnam War or
similar events of the day are offered. Insights about the impact on the
victims (who survive) or their families are only touched upon if they
remain central to the story.

The initial scenes of the movie depict the killer in operation and they
are not sugar coated. However, viewers wanting to see a film in the
style of Fincher's Alien (3), Se7en or even Fight Club (i.e., blood and
gore to almost surreal levels) should look elsewhere.

Zodiac is a well crafted production on all fronts. In addition to
Fincher, the lead actors and extensive (and well known) supporting cast
Zodiac producer's assembled a credible team. James Vanderbilt
(Screenplay), David Shire (Score), Donald Burt (Production Design),
Keith Cunningham (Art Direction), Victor Zolfo (Set Direction) and
Casey Storm (Costume Design) all deliver quality work in their
respective areas. There are no weak spots in this film. Zodiac may not
(or attempt to) dazzle, but it does please.