This article contains spoilers.
True crime has always been an inspiration for Hollywood film makers. The notoriety that comes with high profiled cases offers not only interesting source material but a pre-informed audience. With the case of The Zodiac Killer, who stalked San Francisco in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the fact that no one has ever been caught made the material a hard sell. Usually, true crimes will focus on the complicated antagonist and the effects their crimes have on the victims and their families. With Zodiac, director David Fincher uses the fact that there is no definitive answer to the crimes and concentrates on the long term affects of those investigating them.
David Fincher who previously directed both Fight Club and Seven is known for not straying from dark or difficult subject matter. The film is based on the book by Robert Graysmith (Gyllenhaal’s character). Graysmith’s account of the case includes over ten years of his research and info which led him to believe that a man named Arthur Leigh Allen was in fact the killer.
In preparation for the film, Fincher did eighteen months of research and interviews on the case. Wanting to base the film as much on fact opposed to speculation and hear say. Fincher originally wanted to direct The Black Dahlia but when that fell through he choose Zodiac as his true crime thriller. The screenplay was often rejected from studios as it stays true to the fact that it is still an open case with no set conclusion. Fincher himself saw this as the interesting aspect to the script and also more realistic in that so many cases are never solved.
The other interesting aspect of the film is that instead of concentrating on the the murderer it is predominantly the medias involvement in the case. The point of view is always from either the journalists and detectives investigating the case or from the murder victims. All of these unusual choices give the film a refreshing and realistic feel. The story plays out and draws the audience in
Structurally the film switches from the the investigation inter-cutting the murder scenes into the time line.
Its almost a night and day contrast going from plot and dialogue driven action to scenes of brutal violence. As the film progresses and the murder trail goes cold the two contrasts begin to merge as Graysmith and Avery delve deeper into the case and even become victims of letters and taunts themselves. This structure builds tension in the plot and means the audience feel as if the killer is somehow always present and waiting to strike.
Gyllenhaal is great as the films lead. His geeky persona matches someone who would became fascinated with the case and the coded ciphers while still portraying someone whose obsessive interest takes its toll on his life.
Robert Downey Jr is charismatic as ever with the added depth of a growing addiction to drugs and alcohol. Avery’s decent is all to familiar to Downey himself which clearly impacted his role making it feel all the more authentic.
A dark and edgy crime thriller with a refreshingly realistic spin. Wonderfully directed by Fincher with a strong, if large, central cast. A film that manages to be both an interesting psychological thriller while sticking to keys facts in the case. With Zodiac Fincher did something that only a director of his talent could do. He created a truly fascinating yet horrifying figure while not revealing his identity.
If you like Zodiac, make sure you check out Robbie Jones' Essential Gyllenhaal list!