Zodiac
2007
Staring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards, Brian Cox
Director: David Fincher
I finally saw this film this weekend, and frankly, it was brilliant.
Summary:
The film takes place primarily in the 1960s and 70s San Francisco Bay Area. A serial killer contacts the police and media dropping clues about the various murders that have taken place in the area. Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist at a San Francisco newspaper becomes obsessed with the story, even when all others stopped caring. His interest in the Zodiac puts himself closer and closer to danger.
Review:
The events are actually based on a true story of the Zodiac Killer, and while not an expert on the subject, this story seems to actually take the source material seriously. It takes place when it happened and sticks to “just the facts”, with little deviation, like with the “adaptation” in Dirty Harry (the character Scorpio was loosely based on this).
I came into the film not knowing a single thing beyond what I had seen in the commercials. I never saw the trailer, and didn’t read a single word about it before going in. I did not realize it was a David Fincher film. Sometimes going in blind, with only the word of mouth from trusted individuals that it is a good film is enough.
Verdict: **** ½ /*****
1 comment:
I'm up for a midnight showing at University Theater. You down?
It was one of the few movies I've seen where I've understood the obsessions, even if I was unable to articulate it. When his ex-wife came in to their old apartment and wanted to know why he did what he did, I wanted to yell, "'cause, ho!" It's rare that a movie puts me in the exact position of the protagonist. Memento comes to mind.
Also, an an alcholic, I would like to say that Robert Downey Jr. gives me hope re: the functionality of substance abusers. It's sick how good that guy is, even if he plays essentaitally the same archetype in every film.
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