The late 1960’s was a tough time in California. In 1969, Charles Manson and his family systematically murdered seven people, including actress Sharon Tate. Around that same time, during an eleven month period in 1968-69 an individual who identified himself only as the “Zodiac” murdered at least seven people in Northern California. Given the location and the subject matter, it is not surprising that Hollywood has had a fascination with the Zodiac killer from the start. The case spawned the 1971 low budget thriller The Zodiac Killer and is said to have been in part, the inspiration behind Dirty Harry (1971).
David Fincher, the director of such psychological dramas as Fight Club and Se7en was the perfect person to helm a film about the Zodiac killings. He has created a portrait punctuated by realism, even though true-crime fans know the outcome from the start. Many already know that the Zodiac was never caught and the case never officially solved. Instead, Fincher turns his attention to a thorough analysis of the investigation of the case done by young, Eagle Scout San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist, Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) and gruff, veteran police inspector David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo.) Zodiac, based on two books by Graysmith as well as Fincher’s own extensive research, unfolds as a haunting portrait of crime and obsession.
Zodiac’s attention to minute facts and theories corresponds with both Graysmith and Toschi’s obsessive need to catch the killer–who petrified the Bay Area with murders and taunting letters to newspapers and police (complete with strange ciphers.) that, per the killers demands, were published on the front page–but also Fincher’s own need for perfection (which reportedly required up to seventy takes for a single scene). It seems appropriate that a perfectionist minded filmmaker like Fincher should take on a project like this, given the obvious influence film had on the killer and vice versa. In one of his first letters to The San Francisco Chronicle the Zodiac makes reference to The Most Dangerous Game, a 1932 film about an insane hunter who arranges for a ship to be wrecked on an island, so he can engage in a killing spree. Later on, life imitates art when someone calls Toschi “Bullitt”–reportedly, the inspector was the inspiration for Steve McQueen’s iconic character. In a late letter, the Zodiac himself opines: “Waiting for a good movie about me, I wonder who will play me.” Obviously films played a big part in the Zodiac case from the beginning.
Through numerous letters to the press, the Zodiac cunningly manipulates the media to achieve his own duplicitous goals. At the same time, the press latches on to the story, not just for informational purposes but for personal gain. “He’s [Zodiac] in it for the press,” exclaims San Francisco Chronicle reporter Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr., in his best performance since 1992’s Chaplin). By the end of the film it is clear that everyone from the Zodiac, the police detectives and the press, all attempted to use the case for their own personal gain.
Though the media appears to be what drives the frenzy of the Zodiac case throughout the film, Fincher attempts to change that as Robert Graysmith becomes increasingly obsessed with the case and the larger media moves on. A Vallejo, CA. sergeant (Elias Koteas) breaks the rules and gives Graysmith access to confidential files because Zodiac “is yesterday’s news, so what’s the harm? This just show how much attention from the press can affect whether a case continues to move along, or gathers dust in an ‘unsolved case’ file somewhere.
Fincher shot Zodiac in a very dark, drab manner that lends itself to the authenticity of the story. James Vanderbilt’s script never loses focus on his story’s human element. While the film is the story of a killer, at the heart of it is a tale of all consuming obsession. Zodiac keeps the focus on the destructive ramifications of Graysmith and Toschi’s work on their professional and personal lives. Graysmith allows himself to bring himself and his family to the brink of ruin to capture a serial killer, despite the fact that he was a cartoonist. To this day, Graysmith continues to write about the never solved Zodiac case.
Zodiac was one of the best films of 2007. David Fincher’s expertly directed tale begins as a story about a serial killer but evolves into a psychological study of obsession, mania and family dynamics. No nonsense performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr. bring James Vanderbilt’s impressive script to life and David Shire’s taut score adds to intensity of the hunt for the killer.
Zodiac was the first film shot entirely in 1080p high definition with digital Thompson Viper Filmstream cameras–the same technology director Michael Mann employed for parts of his remake of Miami Vice and his film Collateral. As a result, the 1080p/VC-1 transfer is taken directly from the original digital source, which makes for a near flawless looking Blu-ray disc.
The excellence of the transfer won’t be very noticeable in the color palette. Much of Zodiac is filmed under a cloak of dark black and different shades of gray. Despite the lack of color, viewers will be amazed at the pristine level of detail this transfer offers. Every letter of newspaper text is crystal clear. Skin and clothing look as clear as anything I’ve seen on Blu-ray to date. The amazing clarity gives the film a sense of realism that will make you feel like you’re right there with Graysmith and the investigators.
The standard Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track that’s been included is certainly faithful to the film’s subtly effective sound design. As one would expect, Fincher has carefully balanced the soundtrack to create the proper emotional setting for each scene.
English, French and Spanish subtitles are also included.
Zodiac: 2-Disc Director’s Cut comes packed with special features first presented on the two disc DVD release. Here, they are all presented in HD. David Fincher, Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Brad Fischer, James Vanderbilt and James Ellroy all provide insightful commentaries. “Zodiac Deciphered” is an all-inclusive look behind the scenes look at the making of Zodiac. “The Visual Effects of Zodiac – Previsualization” – split-screen comparisons between animatics and the finished film for the three murder sequences. “This is the Zodiac Speaking” is a new feature-length documentary (produced and directed by David Prior) covering all aspects of the investigation, including new interviews with the original investigators and surviving victims. “His Name Was Arthur Leigh Allen” is a look at the prime suspect in the Zodiac killings. The documentary features interviews with people who knew him and police investigators. There is also a theatrical trailer, which is the only feature not presented in HD.
