Movies of the Decade: 8. Zodiac (2007)

David Fincher's "Zodiac" is a symphony of frustration and creates an atmosphere of dread with only a bit of violence. The film takes a look at the San Francisco Zodiac murders of the late 60's and 70's. We follow three main characters throughout the entire film Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhall), Paul Avery (Robert Downey, Jr.) and David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) as they all are somehow are affected by the Zodiac killer. People have said that Fincher's "Seven" was the serial killer movie to end all serial killer films, well "Zodiac" is the detective movie to end all detective movies. The film works on many levels it's a police procedural, a period piece and a character study. It's really not a serial killer film, most of the violence occurs in the first act of the film. We really are in tune to the characters obsession and paranoia with the zodiac killer, he acts as an enigma the entire film. Graysmith acts as the most inticing character. He starts off as this lowley little newspaper cartoonist and ends up completely obsessed with the Zodiac. Graysmith just continues to looking after the kiler, he is oblivious to the danger he might be drawing. The Zodiac starts to contact him towards the end of the film. Fincher's directing is atop of his game in this film. The film does not end up as cliched with chases, shootouts or Dirty Harry esque things. Fincher is relying on the mood of the city as the backdrop. Fincher brings this elegant style to his film, he is a pro a mis en scen. He brings this visual style that comes unparralled to anyone else. With the subject matter of a serial killer you would think the pacing and editing would be quick, but Fincher takes his time and carefully sets up scenes. And the film really is a landmark in visual effects. Most people wouldn't know that a lot of the background and scenes are CGI'd. I didn't know that there were any visual effects till watching a making of featurette. I think Fincher's "Zodiac" is one of the most underrated films of the decade. James Vanderbilts script and Fincher's directing is something that needs to be seen by everyone.