Zodiac-A Review
(Taken from my Blue Mag review)
I get the impression that my Blue Mag colleague (who shall remain nameless in honor of the "Zodiac Killer" himself) didn't have the best two hour and forty minute film-going experience of his life when he saw "Zodiac". In defense of this thriller/mystery directed by David Fincher, it does its darndest to illustrate the lives of at least three protagonists over a thirty year span who are all trying to achieve the same goal, which is to find the "Zodiac Killer".
To me, "Zodiac" moved at a rapid pace, only slowing down to heighten the suspense during the inevitable and gruesome Zodiac murders. The protagonists, namely, the newspaper cartoonist (Jake Gyllenhaal), the reporter (Robert Downey, Jr.), and the investigator (Mark Ruffalo), are each very interesting, and surprisingly well fleshed out characters. I found each to be equally engaging and didn't mind a bit when the story shifted from one character to the other to advance the plot. The supporting cast is a who's who in Hollywood, from Brian Cox to Chloe Sevigny to Anthony Edwards, each turning in commendable performances.
I have to disagree with Fred's (oops!) comment about a conscious lack of style to the film. Fincher's style is more subtle in this film yet is very evident, especially in overhead shots where the camera follows traffic down busy streets. And in a very deliberate move, the cinematography adheres to a style that recalls the era of films of the 60's and 70's, when the bulk of this story takes place. If Brian DePalma hasn't yet seen "Zodiac", someone should warn him that Fincher again did what he has been attempting for over thirty years, and that is to make a thriller with as much grace and style as the master of suspense (and chubby cheeks), Alfred Hitchcock.
On a side note, compare "Zodiac", a story that takes place in the time before cell phones and the internet, to a film such as, say, "The Departed". Our heroes in "Zodiac" are constantly restrained to land lines when corresponding, and breaking news is only accessed via big old Cathode Ray televisions. It was a bit nostalgic and humorous, for me anyway.
Justin had fun writing this at 7:53 PM
I get the impression that my Blue Mag colleague (who shall remain nameless in honor of the "Zodiac Killer" himself) didn't have the best two hour and forty minute film-going experience of his life when he saw "Zodiac". In defense of this thriller/mystery directed by David Fincher, it does its darndest to illustrate the lives of at least three protagonists over a thirty year span who are all trying to achieve the same goal, which is to find the "Zodiac Killer".
To me, "Zodiac" moved at a rapid pace, only slowing down to heighten the suspense during the inevitable and gruesome Zodiac murders. The protagonists, namely, the newspaper cartoonist (Jake Gyllenhaal), the reporter (Robert Downey, Jr.), and the investigator (Mark Ruffalo), are each very interesting, and surprisingly well fleshed out characters. I found each to be equally engaging and didn't mind a bit when the story shifted from one character to the other to advance the plot. The supporting cast is a who's who in Hollywood, from Brian Cox to Chloe Sevigny to Anthony Edwards, each turning in commendable performances.
I have to disagree with Fred's (oops!) comment about a conscious lack of style to the film. Fincher's style is more subtle in this film yet is very evident, especially in overhead shots where the camera follows traffic down busy streets. And in a very deliberate move, the cinematography adheres to a style that recalls the era of films of the 60's and 70's, when the bulk of this story takes place. If Brian DePalma hasn't yet seen "Zodiac", someone should warn him that Fincher again did what he has been attempting for over thirty years, and that is to make a thriller with as much grace and style as the master of suspense (and chubby cheeks), Alfred Hitchcock.
On a side note, compare "Zodiac", a story that takes place in the time before cell phones and the internet, to a film such as, say, "The Departed". Our heroes in "Zodiac" are constantly restrained to land lines when corresponding, and breaking news is only accessed via big old Cathode Ray televisions. It was a bit nostalgic and humorous, for me anyway.
I highly recommend "Zodiac", as both a history lesson about one of the most chilling and interesting cases in U.S. history, and as a finely directed and acted film of the thriller/mystery genre. Eat your heart out, DePalma.
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