Poll Position Part 3: Zodiac (2007)

I've saved my most anticipated movie 'till last. The main interest I had for this movie was the fact that Robert Downey Jr. was in it. Though I don't think he can act every role, but the obnoxious hard-ass role he does very well. Having never actually heard about the "Zodiac" killings before, besides the references in "Dirty Harry", I was sure that the mystery would unravel very well. With high expectations and low knowledge about the story, I'm sure I won't be too disapointed.


The movie is based of Robert Graysmith's book with the same title. Both the movie and the book goes on to try and solve the mysterious murders that have been happening around the Northern California region during the late '60s's and '70's. Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) was initially a cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle and that is where he got sucked into the Zodiac killings. The lead journalist, who got Graysmith involved, was Paul Avery (Downey Jr.), who was let go later in his life because of his personal problems. Graysmith also got help from one of the lead Inspector's of the case, David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo). Even though most of the other people let the case go because it was going nowhere, Graysmith stuck around until the end.

The movie feels like a 1970's crime movie. Besides the obvious fact the story takes place mainly in the '70's, the entire atmosphere was there. It was mainly the music that created this atmosphere. It sounded similar to what one would expect in a Dirty Harry movie or even "Bullitt". Essentially a crime movie that took place in San Fran.

So close, yet so far from the truth!

Another small part of the movie that I enjoyed was the visuals. Northern California is not a hard area to film beautifully, the area is a picturesque. Which brings me to the fact that the movie is pretty to look at. It isn't all that gritty appearance like most crime movies. Instead it focuses on the swooping city shots and wide angle lens to really bring out the beauty of the environment. Wherever and whatever the scene might be about, there isn't a bad looking background on sight. Even though some of the backdrops were CG, it felt real and natural.

But lets get down to the meat of why I loved the movie. It was simply the intoxicating story. Similarly like Avery's drinking problem, I couldn't get enough of the additive story. You start off with nothing besides the fact that a serial killer is going around murdering and leading the media and police officers along. Whenever the police are close, something gets in the way and nearly closes the case. While the case never gets offically closed, most of the authority drop it as it leads nowhere. Thankfully Graysmith is stubborn enough to keep at it. It is fun watching Graysmith jump from suspect to suspect, police officers to police offers and witness' to witness' trying to solve this case.

Sometimes the answer is right under your nose.

And with all this human interaction, comes the solid acting. Downey is reliable in this, he is how I expected him to be. Good but not great. The two that really stood out were Ruffalo and Gyllenhaal. They both act out their respected roles to the fullest. As Toschi progressive from a inspector hot on the case to a soften, beat-up inspector later in life, Ruffalo is parallel through out the movie matching how I pictured Toschi to be in real life. Gyllenhaal had his own moments, similarly to a hound dog, he was on the trail from the beginning. Any piece he found rejuvenated him and at many points he got so close to solving the crime. Even with the police and news outlets laughing at him all the way through.

In the end, the case never gets close but the prime suspect is listed. Now for a movie, I liked it a lot. It had that nostalgic crime feel that I love, and it was backed up with a solid murder mystery that is lacking on some of the older movies. Thankfully the movie incorporates great acting by all the cast members and backed up by a killer soundtrack.I really enjoyed this film, and gratefully so.