A fresh take on the elusive serial killer....

Rating: 9/10 (3 March 2007)

After having read other critiques, I will concede to the fact it is difficult to find a film encompassing serial killers and their motivations, and come up with a winner. This one is a winner, thanks in part to David Fincher's directorial style, and a stellar cast.
Robert Downey Jr., as journalist Avery does steal the show in parts. He becomes entwined in the case. Mark Ruffalo as detective Dave Toschi is excellent. Chloe Sevigny is believable as Graysmith's beleaguered wife, worried for her family and Graysmith's involvement.
Jake Gyllenhall does quite well as Robert Graysmith, SF Chronicle cartoonist who eventually becomes intrigued, then obsessed with the case.
We do see the reality of police investigation. The gritty, hardly glamorous world of the 70's is perfectly visualized by Fincher. We may remember "Se7en", in which Fincher so brilliantly portrayed serial killings in NYC. The visuals convey as much as the dialog. He is a truly gifted director.
Overall, there is no gratuitous blood; I felt the scenes were accurate, and reflect the humanity and tragedy, without unnecessary gore. Fincher relies more on visual moods and scene settings; the suspenseful scene in the basement, as Gyllenhall suspects he is in the presence of the killer, is unique and reminiscent of Hitchcock. The dread and suspense is palpable. We do not often see this in this genre of film.
Anyone intrigued by this story may also want to read Robert Graysmith's book. Highly recommended. 9/10.