Most directors usually stay in the same genre or never touch the same subject matter twice. This is a sign of someone who has found their talent or someone who is looking to challenge themselves with something new. David Fincher in 1995 made Se7en a movie about a serial killer. In 2007 he would re visit the genre of serial killers with the true story of Zodiac and make one of the best films of the year. Zodiac is a fine example of what a director in the finest year of his career can do with subject matte worthy of him.
Since finishing Se7en Fincher had directed a few hits including The Game, Fight Club and Panic Room. Even with the lesser success of Panic Room audiences were looking to see what Fincher would bring to challenge his audience next. When Zodiac hit the screen in March of 2007 audiences were treated to a movie that was nearly three hours long but unlike most movies of its length managed to hold your attention like nothing you had seen before.
The true to life story follows cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) who became obsessed with the series of murders in the 70's. Along with fellow newspaper man Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) the two attempt to navigate the twisted world of Zodiac in attempts to discover his identity and try to put a stop to him. At the same time once the murders begin to occur inspector David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) is looking into the murders and it becomes just a matter of time for when the Zodiac will strike again.
This film boasts three great talents in acting and all stand on their own but it is Gyllenhaal who is leading the group. We are going to years from now look back at Gyllenhaal and realize what an amazingly underrated actor he was. Movies like Zodiac, Prisoners and Nightcrawler will be viewed as something special and his work keeps getting better with time. He truly understands how to take hold of a character and not let go. He also doesn't rest on his success he is constantly putting out something every year that is new and challenging.
Downey Jr. in 2007 had not yet had the come back of come backs with Iron Man and Tropic Thunder. This would take place in 2008 at this point he was still someone that people in Hollywood viewed as a risk. It was hard to trust if Downey would show up or a problem would. However in this he is doing some of his best work and we see why he is so dam likeable in films even when he is playing an arrogant ass. His comic timing and ability to steal scenes lightens the darkest moments in this film.
Now if we are talking about a comic book movie changing your life for Downey in 2008. It would be another 5 years for Ruffalo to step into that spotlight. Ruffalo has always been the strong foundation that you could build a movie around. He is incredible at not only establishing himself in a movie but also giving other people a chance to shine. Ruffalo and all three of these actors fall under the rule of perhaps being in something less then great but not being the cause of making it less then great.
What makes this film so terrifying is that Zodiac was never caught and no true answer was ever brought to America to put us at ease. The film doesn't give you a definitive answer at the end but it is so incredibly well crafted that you don't even care because the film kept you interested the entire time. It is so hard to pick a favorite Fincher film because all of them are incredible and have such powerful moments. Fight Club has a incredible ending the murders in Se7en are amazing well made. For Zodiac it has to be its opening and closing that pack the biggest punch. I am a huge fan when a director can take a piece of music and use it as effectively as Fincher does in his films. With Zodiac he uses the 1968 hit from Donovan Hurdy Gurdy Man. It is with this simple bit of music that he sets the mood for the entire film and at the very end manages to send one last bit of terror down your spine as he closes the film. The music is great because it is just as uncertain as the events surrounding the case itself.
Zodiac is a movie ahead of its time and needs to be watched and re-watched just to absorb how brilliant it is.
Well we have closed our file on serial killers and now it is time for us to dust off our tuxes and take a look at some Oscar winning terror. For High Weirdness I'm Benjamin Kolton reminding you "It's Only a Movie" "It's Only a Movie"
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