Film Review: Zodiac

Zodiac, the latest film from Fight Club director David Fincher, is the story of the famous Zodiac serial killer that plagued Los Angeles in the late 1970s. Unfortunately after seeing Zodiac it becomes evident that some things are better left in the past.

The truth is, Zodiac’s storyline is factually correct (pun very intended). After seeing it I used my good friend Wikipedia to look up the actual case, only to find that everything portrayed in the movie was exactly as the events took place in real life. The bad news is that the events, while intriguing, do not translate well to the screen. The case was rife with uncertainty and complexity, and these elements end up killing Zodiac (another?).

Zodiac’s greatest strength is in its presentation. The 1970s era is perfectly executed. As the film travels across decades, so does its landscape and setting. The acting is also spot-on, with Robert Downey Jr., Jake Gyllenhaal, and Mark Ruffalo all giving great performances. All the elements are in place except the story, which fails to engage after the first half hour of Zodiac’s 158 minute length.

Though I appreciate Fincher’s desire to remain factually precise, the length is almost unbearable because the suspense is so drawn out. The film becomes an exercise in patience, but ultimately there is no payoff. ‘Z’ is abysmally flat for over two hours, including its ending. Suspenseful, but lacking any real drama, Zodiac should not be part of your future.

5/10