The Lincoln Log

It was the early 1970s and the zodiac killer was at large. The movie “Zodiac” was set in San Francisco and is based on the best-seller novel with the same title by Robert Graysmith, which was based on real police records. The Zodiac killer might be the most brilliant serial killer yet. He sent letters to basically say that no one could ever catch him. Directed by David Fincher, the same man that brought you the classic thriller, “Se7en.” The cast was composed of real actors and not those “Brad Pitt”-type actors. The only pretty-faced actor was Jake Gyllenhaal.

The whole film took placed in San Francisco. I saw the outdoor scenes and I remember those brick buildings that still stand today in the city. It was very interesting to see those same buildings now and in the film where I traveled suddenly to San Francisco in the ‘70s. However, in one scene I noticed that it was in the Sunset. I recognized it because of the rather large “Sunset Super Market” sign in the background.

The cast in my eyes was absolutely flawless. Seeing Robert Downey Jr. play San Francisco Chronicle reporter Paul Avery who had a bad alcohol problem was perfect. The way he commanded the scenes and the way he mad the character unique was great. Mark Ruffalo played San Francisco police officer David Toschi and by Anthony Edwards played his partner William Armstrong. The relationship between Toschi and Armstrong was interesting. I could never understand why Toschi had this weird obsession with animal crackers and why Armstrong had to always bring those crackers for him. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist for the Chronicle, who later writes the novel.

The movie’s plot was good. It’s a hard story to follow. The film follows Paul Avery and the Chronicle then switches to Toschi and Armstrong then back to Graysmith. As the movie progresses, you can see how the mystery of who the killer is slowly takes over Avery, Toschi and Graysmith. What I really like about this film was that it was just about who was Zodiac, what he did, and how he terrorized the Bay Area. I especially liked how there was no real love story or another back-story. Although Graysmith’s girlfriend is in the movie, played by Chloe Sevigny, she doesn’t play a major part in the movie. The real problem I had with this film was how there was an awesome amount of information that I didn’t get everything the first time I heard it. However, I did pick it up later in the film.

Just by watching this film I learned a lot about the Zodiac. I learn who his victims were and how they died, what he did to get attention, and who were the main suspects. At the end of film some many feel like there was a real resolution and some many feel like he may still be out there. He might even be someone you see everyday and you don’t even know it.

3.5 stars out of 5