A fresh point of view at a serial killer case

Rating: 9/10 (1 May 2020)

Only after about 30 minutes of scene time did I realise Zodiac looks at this serial killer case from the perspective of Jake Gyllenhaal's character, rather than the serial killer's. It was successfully done, as the audience gets more and more absorbed in his pursuit instead of the crime itself.
The plot is well made, throwing at the audience incessant thrills. The series of "catch and release" is really effective, getting us so much hopeful only to dismiss the suspects as not guilty. The audience is left frustrated, curious, and lost, just as what Robert Graysmith is going through.
The scene with the poster writer is common heralded as the best scene, and I too share this view. The acting and cinematography are so excellent the tension is almost unbearable. The character sees the danger, and I the watcher feels it too, with no less fear and desperation and relief.
The only problem of Zodiac is that as it conforms to the integrity of the story, the movie drags at times.