David Fincher is an interesting director he is one of the few people that works within Hollywood but doesn’t follow the Hollywood formula. His films have always dealt with disturbing subject matter and examine the human condition. I first became of fan of Fincher when I saw the movie Se7en. Released in 1995 the film follows two detectives as they hunt down a serial killer, who commits murders based on the seven deadly sins. Looking back Se7en was really a precursor to the Saw franchise which is enjoying great success. But what separates the gory and often ludicrous Saw from Se7en is David Fincher’s ability to tell a story. Fincher is a great story teller and it has been apparent in all his works, he makes you care about the characters and associate yourself with them. How many people have left like Edward Norton’s character in Fight Club? Wanting to break free from the constraints of society and not letting anyone stand in your way? In 2007 David Fincher released his in my opinion most mature thought proving film Zodiac.
Zodiac was based on the true crimes of the Zodiac Killer who reined havoc in California during late 1960’s. Although the killer was never caught and the case remains unsolved it still generates much controversy. The film Zodiac is a gripping thriller lead by an exceptional cast Jake Gyllenhaal plays Robert Graysmith a young cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle. Robert Downey Jr. plays Paul Avery a chain smoking and hard drinking reporter also for the S.F. Chronicle and Mark Ruffalo is Inspector David Toschi the cop who is always one step behind the Zodiac Killer. Part of the power of the film comes from these performances. I think that this movie started Robert Downey Jr.’s climb back to the top. You can see where he took elements from Paul Avery and put them into his Tony Stark character in Ironman. Jake Gyllenhaal plays his character with a naïve boyish charm that you can’t help but love. I think that his character Robert Graysmith is one that a lot of people can relate too. Finally Mark Ruffalo performance as Inspector David Toschi is completely underrated he definitely steals the second half of the film for me.
What I liked most about this film was the opening. If a movie doesn’t grab you in those first few minutes then is it ever really worth watching? In the opening of Zodiac we are treated to a beautiful skyline of the city with fireworks going off. The shot was just haunting as it feels like something horrible is going to happen before the first line of dialogue is even spoken. Then we are then shown a young couple getting fairly cozy with each other in a car on a rural dirt road. The sequence is all played out to the song Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan which sent chills up my spine. Soon after the couple realize that they are not alone and are brutally gunned down by the Zodiac Killer. This opening sets the tone for the whole film and will keep you stuck in your seat. Zodiac clocks in at about 2hrs and 40minutes and keeps you guessing every minutes of the way. Just when you think that you have figured out whom the killer is the movie will take a sharp turn in the other direction. A lot of credit needs to be given to Daivd Fincher and the cast and crew without them this amazing film would have never turned out the way that it did.
Zodiac was one of the most underrated films of the 00’s it was unfortunate that more people hadn’t seen it. The good thing is that is it available on DVD and you can either download it, rent it or if you know me I’ll lend it to you. I give Zodiac a 4/5 and highly suggest it to everyone, if you need anymore convincing listen to Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan and that should send you on the right path.
-Dylan
