Best of the Decade #14: Zodiac (2007)
David Fincher’s true crime masterpiece about a serial killer that terrorized Northern California throughout the late 60’s and early 70’s may very well be one of the best police procedural dramas of all time. Film Junk’s Best of the Decade #14: Zodiac.
Starring an incredible ensemble cast of Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards, Jake Gyllenhaal and Chloe Sevigny, Fincher puts forth a film of immaculate detail and an endless investigation that became an obsession of many of San Francisco’s media and law enforcement members.
At a running time of almost three hours, Zodiac follows the steps of the reporters and beat cops through the investigative process. They try to figure out the randomness of the murders and why the killer sent confessions and cryptic clues to the newspapers.
As the killer collects more victims, James Vanderbilt’s screenplay becomes that much more riveting. Fincher films some death scenes that are gut-wrenching to watch and it all builds up to an ending that is both satisfying and unsatisfying at the same time.
After a career of Se7en, Fight Club, The Game and Panic Room, David Fincher knows suspense and if you’re a fan of any of these then Zodiac belongs on your must-see list.
Check out previous entries from our Top 20 Films of the ’00s.
Comments (24)
I just watched this for the first time since the theater about 2 weeks ago. I was the only one in my group of friends who loved Zodiac when we first saw it, and I think I loved it even more the second time. I give no credit to the oft-heard complaint that this movie is too long, because I never find it boring, even at 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Posted by Rian on December 10th, 2009Suprisibgly not boring at all, considering all the dialog juxtaposedq with those deAth scenes
Posted by Drewsifer on December 10th, 2009I’d have to say that this film almost falls under historical drama , if thatgenre was nt filled with such boring shite.
A for effort, but talk about lack of “rewatchability”! I will only return to this in small doses looking at individual scenes.
Posted by rus in chicago on December 10th, 2009I had no idea that this film was written by the multitalented James Vanderbuilt from Dawson’s Creek.
Posted by Rusty James on December 10th, 2009How is this not in the top 10?
Posted by rjdelight on December 10th, 2009I’ll take the blame for that, I think I ranked it pretty low on my list.
Posted by Sean on December 10th, 2009i wouldn’t put this on my list. it was slow as hell, it didn’t have a lot of suspenseful moments (probably 2 at best), and most importantly the plot didn’t go anywhere! i was amongst the people who didn’t know about the real case, so i was expecting it to have a big ending. was really disappointed and left underwhelmed when i finally ended.
Posted by Napalm on December 10th, 2009Napalm, so, basically, because you have no knowledge of a certain event in history you get upset when a movie about said event doesn’t end the way you want.
I can see it now, “What the fuck??? The North wins??? What a lame ending”
Also, just because you miscategorize what this movie was intending to be doesn’t mean that you’re correct in holding it to the criteria of the genre that it’s not even in. Schindler’s List is a shitty comdey, for example.
Posted by Ben on December 10th, 2009lmao @ Ben’s response.
Posted by Itchy-Finger on December 10th, 2009I agree with Napalm actually, I think the last hour of this movie is not as compelling as the first two, and its faithfulness to historical details can be seen as a fault. If a story doesn’t have a good ending, why make it into a movie?
That said, I know it is more about the obsession of the people investigating than about the actual killer. There are definitely reasons why I think it deserves to be on a best of decade list. But it isn’t on my own personal list.
Posted by Sean on December 10th, 2009I think considering the nature of the case that last bit is quite satisfying.
Posted by Goon on December 10th, 2009This is probably in my top five of the decade. Am I alone when I say the basement scene is out of place? I know a lot of people pinpoint that scene as when the movie picks up again but I think it’s just forced suspense compared to the rest of the movie which is more naturalistic.
Posted by Glendon on December 10th, 2009While I do like this movie, it is bound to historical accuracy and left me unfulfilled and with a real lack of sense of closure and resolution. Not the movies fault, but still makes it hard to really love it. Maybe comes in just out of my top 20.
Posted by Justice on December 10th, 2009I’m thoroughly enjoying this list. I’m basically watching each movie you put on your ‘Best of Decade’ list…no matter whether I’ve seen it a million times before. So a movie a day that basically Film Junk recommends
As to zodiac – hadnt watched it since it first came out so it was good to re-visit. I enjoyed it a lot. Looking forward to the rest of the movies you guys pick out!
Posted by Teo on December 10th, 2009I never managed to get into thise movie, I will have to give it a second try some time
Posted by Niklas on December 10th, 2009Sean hits on an important point, all filmmakers bend the truth, compress time, etc. I think some of the choices the filmmakers took in dealing with the historical aspect of this film lead to it not being the film it could be. A good caparison film (even in location) is the masterful job Gus Van Sant did with Milk. So, I guess I need to say it, if this film is on the list and not Milk, this list is BS.
Posted by rus in chicago on December 10th, 2009I have only seen this once so far. I am holding back to when I buy a Blu-Ray and this will be one of my first purchases.
I pretty much love all of Fincher’s work although I have to say I just wasn’t interested in “Benjamin Button”
My initial impression of “Zodiak” was that it would have really thrived as an HBO mini series rather than a film. It is really trying to cover a lot of ground and while I didn’t so much mind the runtime I think it could have benefited from a longer runtime. As it was the movie seemed to end and then continue on at a point. Also I found the story arc for Robert Downey’s character a bit problematic. At first it seems that it is his story and then he becomes a bum in a trailer due to the effect of having followed the case. Then it completely becomes (fuck I had to check IMDB to see if it was Toby or Jake..I am losing it) Jake’s movie, that was ok, but in a mini-series this could be transitioned much better I think.
Great pick definitely deserves a place among the best.
P.S
For those who love a great police procedural film watch “The Day of the Jackal” the 1973 film not the Bruce Willis one, it is awesome!!!!
Posted by xego on December 10th, 2009You are BS. I needed to say that.
Posted by Greg on December 10th, 2009I’m shocked that this made your list considering the lukewarm reception that the film received from you guys when it was released a couple of years ago (I think the highest rating was Jay with 3/4). I know that Jay has said that his appreciation of the film increases with each repeat viewing, so I’m wondering if the rest of the crew feels the same way, or if this is more of a “I don’t really like it, but I respect its importance” type scenario.
Posted by Neil M on December 10th, 2009Well Neil, it has benefited from having a couple years on DVD, and its one of those films that definitely benefits from being able to watch it completely on your terms rather than sitting in front of a 3 hour movie straight.
Posted by Goon on December 10th, 2009>>I never managed to get into thise movie, I will have to give it a second try some time
I’m with you.. I can’t understand what the big deal is about. I saw it a year ago and can barely remember a single scene (except the scene where he knifed the couple). This film was a yawner IMO.
Posted by damndirtyape on December 11th, 2009put the historical accuracy aside for a second and just see it for what it is, a movie. i like my movie to display a sense of closure and this definitely didn’t have that! so i can easily hold that as a drawback for this movie.
Posted by Napalm on December 11th, 2009@Goon
Fair enough. I completely agree, by the way. I think it’s brilliant – a sentiment that certainly comes from watching it over and over while it was airing non-stop on TMN last year.
Posted by Neil M on December 11th, 2009Fincher can do no wrong; the only film of his I wasn’t too crazy about was Ben Button (it was far too much like GUMP and Pitt’s performance was lifeless). Zodiac wouldn’t make my list of favorites of the decade, but it certainly was an excellent film.
Posted by Jim the Movie Freak on December 12th, 2009Leave a Reply