"This Is The Zodiac Speaking!"...

Rating: 10/10 (6 August 2019)

Director, David Fincher's ZODIAC recounts the days, weeks, and years involved during and after the infamous killings. While the subject is extremely dark, Fincher wisely focuses, not on the gory details of the murders, as much as on the investigation, letters from the killer, the cryptic puzzles, etc., as well as the physical and psychological toll it all takes on everyone involved. We follow the reporters, represented by cartoonist, Robert Greysmith and chain-smoking, editorial columnist, Paul Avery (Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr.), as well as the police, w/ Inspectors David Toschi and William Armstrong (Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Edwards) on the case, getting no sleep and living on snacks. The near-mad obsession of all the main characters involved, draws us in and keeps us riveted. This approach allows for a wide view of the story as it unfolds, and the back and forth between the newspaper people and the cops keeps things moving. At over two and a half hours, it seems much shorter. This is due in large part to the fact that the actual case is so disturbing / fascinating on its own, and, as of this writing, remains unsolved. Anyone who enjoys a great mystery / drama / suspense / thriller should watch this immediately!... P.S.- Brian Cox makes a perfect Melvin Belli...