Zodiac is a 2007 thriller biopic that tells the story of one of the most infamous unsolved serial killings in the United States of America. It is directed by David Fincher. It stars an ensemble cast including Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey, Jr., Chloë Sevigny, Anthony Edwards, Brian Cox, Elias Koteas, Donal Logue, John Carroll Lynch, Dermot Mulroney, and others in supporting roles.
Political cartoonist Robert Graysmith gets a job with the San Francisco Chronicle. While there, he gets accidentally gets involved with the newspaper’ mysterious connection with the “Zodiac” killer who begins to send taunting letters and codes to the local media outlets. He befriends crime reporter Paul Avery and the two start an informal investigation into the killings.
San Francisco Inspector David Toschi and his partner are thrust into the investigation when Zodiac murders a taxi cab driver inside the city limits. Unfortunately, investigative cooperation proves difficult as the various law enforcement jurisdictions wish to look into the crime in their own manner and style. The only relevant connection seems to be classic film The Most Dangerous Game, which is often quote by Zodiac.
As the years go by, Graysmith begins doing further research looking into every angle of the case. He narrows down the list of suspects, but Avery has lost interest and Toschi gets reassigned, but the young cartoonist becomes obsessed with solving the crime.
Zodiac presents the story of Graysmith as told by his 1986 true crime book written by him. I have not read the book, so I will not comment on that. As for the movie, it presents an interesting thesis and even gives a suspect (who is a real person). The film takes several liberties for dramatic effects on history, but otherwise, it tries to present an accurate narrative.
The three principle actors Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey, Jr. are all mesmerizing in their roles. Gyllenhaal plays Graysmith with such realism, you can feel yourself getting pulled into his obsession with Zodiac.
My one complaint about the film is as it comes to Graysmith preparing to write the book, it seems to jump from spot to spot with barely any connections only slowing as it draws near to the climax.
FAVORITE QUOTE: I am not the Zodiac. And if I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.
PARENTAL CONCERNS: Strong foul language, violence, disturbing content
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