Zodiac

Released March 2, 2007

Directed by David Fincher

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards, John Carroll Lynch, Chloe Sevigny

First Viewing April 6, 2010

Roger – 4.5/5 stars

Wondering what movie to rent next? It should be this one. I’m serious. Zodiac is brilliantly done. No special effects, no flashy promoting, but a hell of a good job on all fronts.

I believe Zodiac is an example of a “sleeper hit,” which is a movie that I have come to understand is really good, but is never a commercial hit. Since seeing it, I’ve mentioned it to others, and those that have seen it nod their heads emphatically, saying, “yeah, that was a good movie!”

Zodiac focuses on the true story of a serial killer who terrorized the San Francisco bay area in the 1970’s. The killer named himself Zodiac and taunted the police via letters to the San Francisco Chronicle. The movie is based on the book by Robert Graysmith, who was a cartoonist for the Chronicle at the time. They say that truth can make a better story than fiction, and in this case, it’s true.

Robert Graysmith (Gyllenhaal) and his colleague Paul Avery (Downey Jr.) analyze Zodiac’s movements and patterns, and the movie begins by alternating scenes with them at the Chronicle, the team of police on the case, headed by Inspector Dave Toschi (Ruffalo), and scenes with the Zodiac himself, which are tense, suspenseful and terrifically done.

Eventually, the case gets cold, and things die down. Robert Graysmith takes up the torch, and becomes an amateur detective obsessed with finding out the identity of Zodiac and bringing him to justice. The story takes place over a number of years, and the writers have done a spectacular job with the editing and production here. As you trace Zodiac along with Toschi and Graysmith, there are leads, false leads, moments of suspense, and moments of triumph. The movie starts off strong enough, but be patient, because it gets even better and better.

The acting is incredible. I forgot I was watching actors at all. The three leads (Gyllenhaal, Ruffalo and Downey Jr.) are at the top of their game.

I can’t stress enough how well done this movie is. Do yourself a favour, and rent this movie tonight.