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Zodiac – 2007 Fincher
- A masterpiece of both narrative brilliance and visual splendor
- A rich study in obsession—clearly influenced by the grittier 1970s American New Wave cinema—like Lumet, Pakula and Coppola’s the conversation. At the very end a character tells Gyllenhaal that “you have that look”. She means that you have been worn down by this obsession and all three lead actors, have that transformation
- Methodical and procedural— men of obsession made by a man of obsession (Fincher notorious for his numerous takes, and being a bit of a dick to actors and crew with his perfectionism)
- Many critics, while praising or comparing this film with Seven (another Fincher serial killer film)—incorrectly call seven violent in their reviews. Unlike seven, this film actually shows the crimes so, not that I care, this is clearly the more violent film to make an accurate description
- It’s an epic, a crime saga—large film with un-thriller-genre-like ambitions
- It’s a dissection of an event much like Stone’s JFK
- We have the retro paramount logo in the beginning
- The haunting “Hurdy Gurdy Man” song by Donovan kicks off the absolutely spectacular prologue intro— Fincher’s editing of that initial shooting in the car is a technical marvel
- Downey, Ruffalo and Gyllenhaal—three of the better actors of this generation—do some of their best work here- it’s a mount rushmore performance for all three— but the cast is an ensemble—Brian Cox is good, Chloe Sevigny, Koteas (always a favorite of mine), Mulroney, and especially worthy of praise is John Carroll Lynch—his performance as Arthur Leigh Allen is absolutely chilling
- About half the critics mention Pakula’s procedural and cinematically dark (both in actual visual brightness and ominous narrative real-life nightmare (Gordon Willis as dp as well)) all the president’s men and they’re absolutely right— a bulk of the film is shot (gorgeously I might add—see above pic) in a newsroom much like seven is shot in an office… It’s lighting as mise-en-scene (there are several spots here- one of my favorites is the movie theater shot as well)—often Fincher shows at a low angle to capture the overhanging lights (on the street in San Fran, the Chronicle news room, the movie theater awning) as part of the frame and use lighting as mise-en-scene
- Fincher’s trademark yellowish greens throughout—the film is a miracle of lighting and one of the best examples of mise-en-scene in the decade
- Absolute narrative bliss—but it’s not a tightly wound machine like no country for old men– it’s a deliberately paced, but always engaging, procedural saga that spends as much time on a ikiru-like bureaucracy of the multiple police jurisdictions as it does the killings
- Movie posters and references galore—outright references to bullitt, dirty hairy, and the most dangerous game but we have posters of key largo, the wrong man (Hitchcock), and crime films from the era like conquest and illegal
- Rich period detail- the 1969 mustardy yellow, clothes and furniture. Meticulous mise-en-scene and décor—even the lighting—which works with Fincher’s trademark look—fits the era of the 1970’s—or at least 1970’s (Gordon Willis-influenced natural lighting) films.
- A masterpiece
Drake2022-09-24T23:18:57+00:00
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Jake,Downey Jr,and Ruffalo all should have been nominated for Oscars, and this deserved A best Picture Nomination
Also Fincher for Best Director
@Randy– preach! Agree and agree. Downey Jr. and Ruffalo are what the supporting actor category is made for. And yes- Fincher’s achievement here was tragically overlooked by the Academy. I’d encourage you to use this as your reference point instead of the Oscars. http://www.theyshootpictures.com/index.htm . They site is wonderful and they compile critics lists. I think it’s much stronger and evolves over time as they update it year after year.
Thanks I have used this site before I’m surprised to see Punch Drunk Love So highly rated tho, I haven’t seen it yet but I’ve looked at plenty of critic lists of the best films of the 2000s and I’ve only seen it on 2 one from where The AV Club put it at number 33 and a honorable mention list for variety. I’m also surprised to see see no country for old men at 25 I thought it would be a shoo in for top ten if not five.
My personal favorite movie of the 21st century, not saying I consider it to be objectively the best (all though it’s up there)
Gyllenhaal expertly conveys true obsession and how it wears you down.
I think police procedurals are one of the easiest movies to butcher because there is far too much focus on the payoff/ending/plot twists etc
Love to music they use, hurdy gurdy man bookend, bang bang by vanilla fudge when the cab driver is shot
The way this movie recreates late 60s/early 70s San Francisco is done perfectly
Good call on John Caroll Lynch, just think of the creep he plays in this movie to his role in Fargo ha, and that final staredown between him and Gyllenhaal is almost like something of a western showdown minus the actual shootout to speak (no resolution)
Roger Ebert calls it the All the Presidents Men of serial killer movies and it’s an interesting comparison as it actually seems to have more in common with journalism themed movies as typical serial killer movies, there are violent scenes but they basically stop after the first hour. Really the violence sets the tone early to show the brutality of the killings especially the one at the lake which is frankly difficult to watch
Some humor Gyllenhaal and Downey Jr getting hammered drinking aqua velvas, the scene with all the lunatics “confessing” to the zodiacs crimes, “have you ever considered that the zodiac is Paul Avery?” Ruffalo’s deadpan response “frequently”
This truly is one of those movies that says with you long after watching it, really just so effectively conveys the horrors of the crimes depicted in a way that few other movies with similar subject matter do
An existentialist masterpiece
@James Trapp- 1000% agree- your writing here makes me want to watch it tonight- I’m going to google the recipe for aqua velvas and I might just have one and watch it again- haha
https://cocktailsofthemovies.com/portfolio_page/aqua-velva-recipe-jake-gyllenhaal-zodiac/
Here you go!
@James Trapp- yes! I might be buying that book
Glad to see that your site is fixed.
So i love this movie i think the narrative and screenplay is one of the best of the decade and you have fincher at the peak of his abilities . I didn’t find Gyllenhaal necessarily exciting( he just doesn’t adds anything special to the movie) and Downey Jr. has a tiny amount screen time, for me ruffalo stole the show, it’s his movie. He has the most complex character in the movie. Do you agree?
@M*A*S*H – Ruffalo was terrific and completely authentic as a dedicated homicide detective. As for Gyllenhaal I thought he did an excellent job of portraying his character. The film more than anything is about the nature of obsession and how it takes hold of the characters personal and professional lives. There’s a great scene late in the film when Chloë Sevigny’s character, who is married to Gyllenhaal’s character, comes to their house after she has moved herself and the kids out temporarily in order to confront Gyllenhaal. The house is a mess with papers scattered everywhere and Gyllenhaal is sitting on the floor looking like a complete mess. She asks him point blank why solving the case is so important to him and why he has to be the one to do it and he is unable to answer the question. He gives some BS answer but it is clear that even he does not truly know why he feels the need to know the Zodiac’s identity. I thought this scene was a culmination of all the events in the film leading up to it. Gyllenhaal does such a great job conveying the power of his obsession and how it has completely taken over every aspect of his life. I don’t think the film necessarily belongs to any one character (although if it did it would be Gyllenhaal) as it’s more democratic in spreading the narrative amongst several characters and how the case overtakes their personal and professional lives.
@M*A*S*H- thanks for comment. For my money, I think this is a pretty sizable achievement for both Ruffalo and Downey Jr.
@James Trapp maybe you are right, I’ll give it another viewing to shape my opinion.
I’m was an acting student in my school last year and now a member of a theater group.
Guys senior to us give us assignments and every week we are given at least 2 or 3 comparative studies like the trio of Zodiac and today’s assignment is Jon voight and dustin Hoffman in Midnight cowboy( i was planning to talk about it after i finish my paper). Last week we were given Rutger hauer and Dennis hopper in blade runner and blue velvet. So these responses really help me get other opinions of probably more knowledgeable people about movies.Thanks !!
@Graham- thank you for the help
[…] Zodiac – Fincher […]
@Harry- thank you for the fix help here
Thought it was a really nice detail how when Gyllenhaal convinces Downey Jr. to try the aqua velvet (blue) cocktail you can hear Crystal Blue Persuasion playing in the bar. Fincher the perfectionist
@Harry – I love this- and had not noticed this so thanks for sharing this detail. I love this scene. Downey Jr. at his best
It’s good to see Ruffalo and Downey Jr. both working with auteurs again as the MCU is cooling down a lil. Downey in Oppenhiemer and Ruffalo staring in Bong Joon Ho and Yorgos’ next films.
@Harry- Had not thought about that- but agreed.
@Harry – So funny I’ve seen like 20 times and I love the song “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and yet never picked up on that, good for you