My scattered thoughts on Zodiac
Not many murder mysteries are about the arduous, physically and psychologically exhausting journeys that those on the right side of the law undergo to achieve a resolution. If you have seen Seven, you would know that David Fincher likes to get into the minds of his crime solvers more than criminals; deal with their demons, weaknesses, fatigues and motivations rather than making a fast paced and slightly simplified version of achieving the end without taking one through the process.
Zodiac is completely about process. It is a true story based on case files, spanning 20 years of a serial killer on the loose, with 3 Californian police departments on the case.
Somewhere through the film, you let go of trying to keep up with the facts of the case, let alone be a step ahead of those grappling with it on screen. You realize that this is not that kind of film. The facts are there for the characters to deal with, you are only to watch them do it. Hence, after a while, once you give up on the plot, you start losing interest in the happenings… It is the mark of a brilliant filmmaker who is at the top of a genre or his forte of storytelling when he can tell that time will come, and David Fincher understands it. He is at the top of this one, he swiftly shifts gears from the plot to focus and make the film a character progression drama for a significant time in the second half of the film… you only realize it once you understand that you are now watching a lot more of Robert Graysmith’s personal life and involvement with the case than you did until now… by that time, he’s got you exactly where he wants you… involved in the character, not thinking about the plot anymore… Touché!
Must watch for any crime genre fan.