The case- and nothing but the case- is this movie's pulsating, feverish heart.

Rating: 8/10 (9 July 2007)

Director Fincher and a fantastic cast takes on the epic retelling one of the most famous serial killer cases in US history. And in their arsenal to hit home this long, low-key but overwhelmingly satisfying crime-solving puzzle/drama thriller, are these weapons:
The meticulous storytelling focus on the case- and nothing but the case- which wisely becomes this movie's pulsating, feverish heart. And the stellar characterizations (Gyllenhall, Ruffalo & Downey JR sparkle!), who do take up space, but their private lives are expertly spun around the case focus as to not distract from it. Very traditional visuals for being Fincher, production design and time era atmosphere are also so good, you can almost swear that this was made simultaneously as both "In the heat of the night", "Serpico", & "All the president's men"... To which this does owe a relatively big chunk of influence- and in bits equals and even surpasses, indeed! And what a cold sweat-scene in that projectionist's house!!
8 out of 10 from Ozjeppe