July 25th Log

ZODIAC
2007, David Fincher, United States
1st Viewing, DVD

After a five year hiatus from filmmaking, with Zodiac David Fincher returns to the serial killer mystery thriller genre that resulted in his best film (to me anyway) Seven, which was made in 1995. Here however, Fincher is working with a true story (based off the books by Robert Graysmith, which detail the facts about the still unsolved case of the Zodiac killings in San Francisco during the 1960s and 1970s). As such, Fincher treats the subject with far with an approach that is less philosophical and thrilling then Seven, instead focusing more on the investigation. In other words, Zodiac is less stylized then Seven instead aiming for realism, while still remaining an effective genre suspense film. Those familiar with the facts, details, and history of the case are likely not to be surprised by everything that unfolds. What pushes the film beyond the level of a simple crime detective film is that Zodiac is ultimately more centered around the key characters obsession with case and how the obsession consumes their lives. It is here that the film grasps it’s emotional humanity and Fincher along with screenwriter James Vanderbilt never lose focus of this element, even at a lengthy 158 minute running time. As the final title cards indicate, the case remains unsolved and Robert Graysmith’s obsession with the case remains. It is this obsession that makes the film most haunting. I think this is Fincher’s best film since Seven.