In theaters.
You know you're watching a David Fincher movie when nearly every scene features a driving rainstorm. In Zodiac, Fincher returns to the serial killer genre, where he made his name with Se7en. It is allllmost an A-, but not quite.
The thriller tracks the investigation and news coverage of the Zodiac killer, who terrorized the San Francisco area throughout the late 1960's and the 1970's. Fincher was a child living in the area at the time, and has said his memories of the news reports influenced his decision to make the movie and several of the scenes.
The plot centers around Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhall), the editorial cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle, as he involves himself in the case. Mark Ruffalo plays Dave Toschi, the lead detective on the case. Each of the killings is portrayed stylishly and very graphically. The impact of the case on the characters is explored as the main theme of the movie, with the obsession over the case ruining the family of Graysmith and threatening Toschi's career. The script is above average, but is thin in several places. Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Paul Avery, the lead reporter for the Chronicle, is good, but it seems like Downey is just playing himself, dressed in 70's garb.
The film is also a commentary on the failings of the jurisdictions involved in the case; the movie subtly argues that had there been greater coordination among the various agencies, the killer would've been caught.
The plot centers around Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhall), the editorial cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle, as he involves himself in the case. Mark Ruffalo plays Dave Toschi, the lead detective on the case. Each of the killings is portrayed stylishly and very graphically. The impact of the case on the characters is explored as the main theme of the movie, with the obsession over the case ruining the family of Graysmith and threatening Toschi's career. The script is above average, but is thin in several places. Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Paul Avery, the lead reporter for the Chronicle, is good, but it seems like Downey is just playing himself, dressed in 70's garb.
The film is also a commentary on the failings of the jurisdictions involved in the case; the movie subtly argues that had there been greater coordination among the various agencies, the killer would've been caught.
The soundtrack is excellent, the director has chosen songs matching up to the eras of the movie. They provide a good backdrop and appropriate mood throughout. The best song is "Hurdy Gurdy Man" by Donovan. For a sampling and the trailer of the movie, go here: http://myspace.com/zodiacsoundtrack
For more info on the Zodiac killer, go here: http://www.zodiackiller.com/
For more info on the Zodiac killer, go here: http://www.zodiackiller.com/
3 comments:
I liked it quite a bit more. I thought Downey provided some well-placed humor. And I love films with unconventional structures and multiple lead characters. The time-lapse photography of the construction of the Transamerica Pyramid is genius. So is the birds-eye view of the ill-fated taxi cab driving.
I really liked it on some levels, and did enjoy the pieces you mention. There was no emotional resonance to the picture at all, and that is why it stayed in the B's for me. From a technical standpoint, it will surely be one of the best movies of the year...let's hope "There Will Be Blood" (rumored late October release) will set the standard.
It was more of a technical exercise and at times it was as detached as the serial killer himself. It preferred to overwhelm the viewer with information rather than emotion. But the effect on the families is shown and this is the best representation of obsession on film in a long, long time.
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