Plays like the best dramatic re-enactment.

Rating: 10/10 (2 March 2007)

This movie is told in the style of a dramatic re-enactment, meaning everything happens as it happened in real life and Fincher ignores his right as director to invent the points where drama (as opposed to fact) might be inclined to steer itself. Watching Zodiac is like watching a special investigation on TV- special time is spent on the more incriminating and substantial evidence, but a great deal is spent on the leads that go nowhere. This is my favorite part of the movie (and where others find it the most frustrating). It is intended to contain the same hopelessly muddled feeling throughout for an audience that is aware that this case will always be somewhat of a mystery. My shocking interest lies in all the true things that had to occur for this case to be such an overwhelmingly impossible burden even when a serial killer is screaming for attention. To name a few without giving anything away, the bureaucracy of the police department demands cohesion between at least three city PDs, the publicity of the case leaves police with an infinite number of suspects given as tips, and their handwriting expert is called into question on several counts.
Add to all of that the inspired performance of Robert Downey Jr. among a huge cast of talents, the intricate details of Los Angeles culture and that of the 70s, and our own driven obsession identifying with Graysmith and we have an incredible film. Keep in mind, however, that some of us will never be able to watch a 2hr 40min dramatic re-enactment.