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DVD REVIEW
Zodiac Collector's Edition DVD
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jake Gyllenhaal, Anthony Edwards, Mark Ruffalo
Director: David Fincher
By Amy Steele
Zodiac it is an insightful, provocative look into the lives of those consumed by the Zodiac killer mystery that upset California's Bay Area in the late 60s-early 70s. This is not the average serial-killer film. The crime sequences do shock but the film uses those scenes to get you into the mindset for the time of these horrific, senseless killings. Helmed by David Fincher [Seven, Fight Club, Panic Room], Zodiac methodically outlines the nearly decade-long tracking of a killer by the media and the law enforcement. It is one of the best films of the year.
It focuses on two journalists and two police officers engulfed by the case. The San Francisco Chronicle journalists are Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) and Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal). One is a gritty, drug-addicted crime reporter, the other a goody-goody young cartoonist-turned-reporter/author, Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), who becomes intrigued with the case and believes his puzzle-solving skills can help (the Zodiac killer sent cryptic messages to several area newspapers).
As with a fact-based film like All the President's Men, those involved were never perfect and creativity is required to manage the intensity. Zodiac succeeds in etching out the scene for the audience through its authenticity of style for the times and a spectacular cast and solid script. The script underlies the intensity while also providing edginess and moments of absurdity that flesh out this realistic account.
Solving a mystery like this one never proceeds as expected. Based-in-fact films always draw me in. I like to see the thought process and the elements involved for both the reporters and the brass in following leads, taking missteps, trusting the wrong people and putting themselves in danger on more than one occasion. It is fascinating because it shows how a huge unsolved mystery is attacked from the media angle and the law enforcement angle. Can they work together? Also, how does it affect the lives of those whose lives become engulfed by this case?
The case so consumes Graysmith, another marriage falls apart and he ends up writing a book (on which this film is based). Also wrapped up in the case are police detectives David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and William Armstrong (Anthony Edwards). When Avery and Armstrong stop working the case, an endearing, quirky working relationship develops between the veteran Toschi and the newbie Graysmith. All the actors turn in fine performances and the ensemble meshes well. Ruffalo and Edwards have strong, credible energy as partners. As Avery, Downey Jr. shows the stress and wear of his job but also is great in ribbing and breaking in the overly eager Graysmith. It's the type of overtly eccentric character that Downey Jr. has tackled with ease in the past and his face and persona are fitting here. Ruffalo plays up his macho yet sensitive cop role. In a nuanced, brave performance, Gyllenhaal excels in portraying Graysmith's metamorphosis through the Zodiac case. It changed him personally and professionally, forever. Gyllenhaal brings depth and passion to the role. In the beginning, he is the wide-eyed boy scout of the group, by the end, he is the jaded cynical and hardened newsguy.
DVD Extras: A comprehensive documentary about the Zodiac mystery with interviews with those involved in the case as well as footage from that time. There's also director's commentary and a lengthy piece on getting the film made and what attracted the screenwriter and director to the story.
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