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"Break This Code: 6
Letters, Starts with a
Z, Ends with an odiac" |
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Directed by David
Fincher - Written by
Jamie Vanderbilt
Starring Jake
Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo,
Robert Downey Jr.,
Anthony Edwards
Brian Cox, Elias Koteas,
Donal Logue, John
Carroll Lynch, Dermot
Mulroney
Distributed by Paramount -
2007 - 158m - Rated R |
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“Zodiac” is the first great film of 2007.
This is a good start…it took much longer to find a great film in
2006. |
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As you may already
know, “Zodiac” marks the return of David Fincher, the often
brilliant and often bizarrely mediocre director who has brought us
masterpieces like “Fight Club” and “Seven” as well as creating
forgettable films such as “Alien 3” and “Panic Room.”
It’s nice to have him back…and it is here that he solidifies himself
as a director to watch. As impressive as some of his other work is,
“Zodiac” proves that Fincher can make a film that is not filled with
his near-trademark visual theatrics. Such a look would have
completely ruined this film, which is a near-masterpiece of pacing
and realism.
If you haven’t heard of the Zodiac killer before (You haven’t?
Really?), then go ahead and Google it before you go see this one.
This is one of the most disturbing and terrifying cases in American
history; knowing a little beforehand can definitely increase you
appreciation of how Fincher manages to take a case that was never
solved and give it shape as a workable film.
This a touchy subject. I’ve heard the Zodiac killer described as the
Jack the Ripper of the United States. On a basic level, this is
accurate enough and a poor film could possible exploit the deaths of
the many innocents who died at the hands of the Zodiac.
Thankfully, this is exactly the opposite of the finished product.
Clocking in at 160 minutes, “Zodiac” is a big film that had serious
potential to be a plodding bore. However, I get the feeling that
this may be the shortest Fincher could have made this; the story
simply flies and with the exception of a few slow spots about
halfway through the film, the film feels consistently interesting.
It keeps moving as much as possible, jumping between three lead
characters, going to new and disturbing places and brilliantly
recreating a time and place.
That is possibly the most unique thing about “Zodiac.” It plays like
a historical costume epic, except that instead of 1870 it’s 1970. It
doesn’t feel quite like a character study and it’s by no means a
thriller…it’s one of the more unique dramas I have seen in quite
some time.
The acting from the three leads in uniformly excellent, with Jake
Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo proving that they are some of the best
actors moving onto the Hollywood scene and Robert Downey Jr. gives
yet another great Robert Downey Jr. performance. In a smaller role,
John Carroll Lynch is incredibly impressive…I’ve seen him in a lot
of movies and television, but this is the first time he really
impressed me. I truly hope more great roles come to him.
Although not as strong as some of his previous work, “Zodiac” proves
that Fincher can concentrate on telling a story above all else. Gone
is the inane plotting and ridiculous, over-the-top visuals of “Panic
Room.” “Zodiac” is certainly well shot, but now it is impossible to
tell that Fincher used to direct music videos. This is an exciting
turn for him and I hope this is a sign of further greatness for him
in the future.
This is a nice start 2007…if we can only get a handful of films as
effective as this one during this year, we would have a fine year
indeed. |
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© Written by Jacob Hall -
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