The movie ‘Zodiac’ released on February 28th, 2007 by Paramount Companies. It is directed by David Fincher and stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr., in lead roles. The movie is inspired by the book “Zodiac”, written by Robert Graysmith. It’s a spooky, 30-year-old, unsolved, real-life story written by the main character of the movie, Robert Graysmith.
The movie set in San Francisco faces several vicious murders, passed by murder in California. The murders are very brutal and unsystematic. After every murder, the murderer who calls himself ‘Zodiac’, left behind a cryptic message. He also sent letters to the local newspaper ‘San Francisco Chronicle’ and mocked the police for not being able to find him. But the cartoonist working for the newspaper showed an amateur interest in this case and eventually gets the closest to solving this mystery and finding the killer. Robert Downey Jr. who plays the role of the crime reporter collects plenty of clues, but quits the job thereafter as he starts getting threats from the ‘Zodiac’.
About the killer, it is arguable till the end. In 2002, when the police failed to match the identity of the Zodiac with what they found as the most relevant lead, they closed the case in 2004.
Robert Graysmith who plays the role of the young cartoonist intrigued by this mystery, has been my favourite character from the first scene. Although he was initially ridiculed by his senior, Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.), later they work on the case together after Graysmith succeeds in convincing Avery. ‘Zodiac’ constantly fattens the fear in Americans, but investigators like Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and Bill Armstrong keep the ray of hope for justice and safety alive.
The movie has fantastic cinematography and a remarkable direction by Fincher. One of the best parts of the movie is the timeline. Although it was shot in 2007 digitally, it was given a grainy texture which gives a convincing feel of the 1960s. Fincher has also used the windy and rainy atmosphere to manifest it as a “Fincher’s movie”. Movies like ‘Seven’ and ‘The Fight Club’, set in a similar, wet season, seems to be the trademark of the director.
Set aside the direction and storyline, the movie gained traction also because of a great casting. The pace of the movie goes very well- it is suspenseful till the end. In my opinion, the movie could have taken more time and explained about the lead character in much more detail.
It’s chilling to believe that this movie was inspired by real life events and a state of constant fear in the people during those days. This movie is great for an audience looking for a thriller.
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