Zodiac (2007/I)

Director:

David Fincher

Writers (WGA):

James Vanderbilt (screenplay)
Robert Graysmith (book)

Release Date:

2 March 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

There's more than one way to lose your life to a killer

Plot:

A San Francisco cartoonist becomes an amateur detective obsessed with tracking down the Zodiac killer.

Plot Keywords:

Police | Zodiac Killer | Reporter | Cartoonist | Letter

Awards:

25 nominations

Cast

Jake Gyllenhaal	...	Robert Graysmith
Mark Ruffalo	...	Inspector David Toschi
Anthony Edwards	...	Inspector William Armstrong
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Paul Avery
Brian Cox	...	Melvin Belli
John Carroll Lynch	...	Arthur Leigh Allen
Richmond Arquette	...	Zodiac 1 / Zodiac 2
Bob Stephenson	...	Zodiac 3
John Lacy	...	Zodiac 4
Chloë Sevigny	...	Melanie
Ed Setrakian	...	Al Hyman
John Getz	...	Templeton Peck
John Terry	...	Charles Thieriot
Candy Clark	...	Carol Fisher
Elias Koteas	...	Sgt. Jack Mulanax

Also Known As:

Chronicles (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some strong killings, language, drug material and brief sexual images. (also director's cut)

Runtime:

157 min | 162 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Australia:MA | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #42944) | Singapore:NC-16 | Ireland:16 | Finland:K-15 | Germany:16 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Italy:T | Argentina:13 | Portugal:M/12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Brazil:16 | India:UA | Sweden:15 | South Korea:15 | France:U (with warning) | USA:R | Malaysia:18PL (DVD) | Spain:18 | Philippines:R-13 | Japan:PG-12 | Ireland:18 (video rating)

Filming Locations:

4th Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Though Callahan's Diner was a set built for the film, the Callahan's Diner logo and window script is identical to that used by Callahan's Diner at 1213 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, California. It's quite likely that members of the cast and/or crew of the film were familiar with the Santa Monica restaurant and used it as an art model for the San Francisco locale. The "Dirty Harry" reference inherent in the Diner's name may simply be an added plus.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Graysmith and Arthur Leigh Allen both refer to "The Most Dangerous Game" as a book or a novel. It isn't; it's a short story. However, it is entirely possible that the characters only refer to it as such because are subconsciously simplifying their language in conversation with others.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Mike Mageau: Where have you been? I've been waiting since 7:00.

Movie Connections:

References Them! (1954)

Soundtrack:

Crystal Blue Persuasion

Welcome Back, David Fincher.

Audiences have waited a while for a new piece of work from Mr. David Fincher and now that hiatus is officially over. Straying away from his style that earned him a 'cult' following, he brings out a new side to himself, some techniques not yet observed in his repertoire.

ZODIAC feels like it was made by a perfectionist, everything flows so smoothly. The editing is pinch-perfect. Not only that, but Ficher shows that he is an actor's director as well, directing his cast into true life roles wonderfully. But the credit does not go all on to his shoulders. The actors have a lot to do with that themselves. Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays the author of the book of the same name, plays his character with an irresistible 'nerdi-ness' that is just fun to watch. Then it is amazing to watch Gyllenhaal transform that character into an obsessed wannabe detective, losing all focus and normal aspects of his life. Mark Ruffalo plays a humorous and overworked cop with incredibility. He really gets the job done. Downey Jr., however small his role was, plays on the screen with a witty insanity that brings most of the laughs of the movie. The acting really is a major pro. ZODIAC may come out at a long time slot but the viewer will never realize it because of the film pulling one in, and not wanting to leave until the case is solved. That is why ZODIAC is fantastic and a great welcome back gift from Fincher to not only his fans, but to everyone. ZODIAC is definitely the best film of 2007 so far.