How could I have never heard of the Zodiac Killer until this came out?

Rating: 10/10 (5 August 2007)

Believe it or not, I had literally never heard of the Zodiac Killer until around the time that "Zodiac" got released in the theaters (cut me some slack; I was born many years after the killings took place). So, now I've seen the movie portraying everything surrounding the murders. I have to say that it's a really good movie. It focuses less on the murders themselves than on the investigations. The main character is actually Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. I, for one, was amazed at how he and the cops discovered the various patterns and clues. Therefore, maybe it helps if you nothing about the Zodiac Killer: everything in the movie is more of a surprise. As for the murderer's actual identity...well, in case you don't know the story, I won't spoil it.
Aside from Gyllenhaal, there are other people doing great roles here. Robert Downey Jr. plays Graysmith's cohort Paul Avery. Avery sees his responsibility as a reporter, but personal problems impede his work; he's the type of wretch whom you can't help but admire. Mark Ruffalo plays cop Dave Toschi. Toschi is intent on solving the case and doesn't want the press interfering, but understands that he has to put up with the media. Also starring are Anthony Edwards, Brian Cox, Philip Baker Hall, Donal Logue, Chloe Sevigny, James LeGros and Candy Clark (I assume that she's the same Candy Clark who starred in "American Graffiti").
All in all, I recommend this movie very much. I got the feeling that the tension between Graysmith and Toschi mirrored the tension that must have taken over San Francisco surrounding the murders. And as a side note, we get to hear some great music (e.g., Donovan's "Hurdy-Gurdy Man"). A very good movie indeed.