In the late 1960s and into the 70s, an unknown serial killer calling himself 'Zodiac' killed several people in the San Francisco area. How many exactly isn't certain, as the killed appears to have claimed credit for his crimes AND other crimes. In other words, he wanted credit for all sorts of murders...whether he committed them or not. What also makes him unusual is that the guy enjoyed taunting the police and newspapers....and he was also never caught. I mention this because it's all public record...and a search on Google will tell you the case was never solved. And, because of this, no matter how good the movie is (and it is very well made),it must end without the killer being caught.

The story mostly is shown through the standpoint of a political cartoonist who worked for the San Francisco Chronical, Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal). However, it switches viewpoints several times....to other reporters as well as the police investigating the case. But it always comes back to Graysmith, as he's portrayed with being obsessed with the case...even more so than the police.

I appreciated the film because it appears that the screenwriters did not take liberties with the story and they tried to get it right. This sort of thing is unusual as often films radically change the facts. But, because of this, I am sure many viewers felt cheated as there IS no solution to the case....and they really couldn't have one.

David Fincher's laborious, incredibly detailed account of the infamous 'Zodiac' killings that shocked America in the late '60s is another feather in the hat of the auteur and ranks as one of his best films. The problem – if you can call it that – with Zodiac – is that it's incredibly long and you feel every second of the running time. It's a slow paced movie with little action, more of a police procedural as the viewer becomes enveloped in clues and mysterious over an incredibly long period. Fincher's aim is to recount every single little detail of what happens, and as usual for this director, not a second is wasted. He really gets across the lengthy, sometimes lethargic nature of the case and the boring minutiae of police work. I was entranced by all this but some might find it off-putting.

In essence this film has two sides. The first is about the killer and the cops pursuing him. The opening hour focuses on shocking murder scenes and is pretty unnerving; the killer then slips into the background and we get involved in tons of theories and ideas about who he could be. The story brought new light to my understanding of the justice system and really envelops you – if you let it – in everything that's going on. The second side of the film is all about the leading character, Robert Graysmith, and his developing obsession with the crimes. It's one of the best portrayals of obsession I've seen on film, gruellingly realistic. Jake Gyllenhaal is pretty much wonderful in the movie and has his character just right.

Fincher's attention to detail is second to none and the movie looks great, with top dollar cinematography. The script is full of fast and snappy dialogue and there's humour in surprising places to uplift some of the darker moments. The cast is also fine: Robert Downey Jr. continues his career redevelopment as the alcoholic reporter and Mark Ruffalo stands out as the dogged cop. Also look out for a show-stopping turn from Brian Cox, an ultra-creepy appearance from familiar character actor John Carroll Lynch, and an unrecognisable Anthony Edwards as Ruffalo's partner. As a whole the film has a sinister atmosphere with some truly unnerving moments (the phone calls and the visit to the basement spring to mind) and I enjoyed sitting through it. It's the kind of film you can quite happily lose yourself in, something Graysmith himself would readily identify with.

For me, it isn't his best, but it really is an impressive film. The best thing about Zodiac is its atmosphere, it is really quite chilling and affecting. Equally impressive is the story, it is a very intriguing one and told very cleverly as it probes the limits of knowledge and evidence with startling power. The script is very well written and really makes you think. And it isn't a David Fincher movie without great visuals and indeed Zodiac has that. The cinematography is really quite skillful and the scenery, locations and lighting match the brooding atmosphere wonderfully. Fincher also does a superb directing, in fact his direction is a primary factor in what makes Zodiac one of his better movies. This serial killer is also quite different, and this is in a good way. Fincher allows the brutality of the murders to take second place to how the investigation takes its toll on the protagonists, and I for one found that quite refreshing. The acting is equally good, Jake Gyllenhaal can be bland sometimes, but he has given some good performances too and his performance here is one of them. Mark Ruffalo is even better, and Robert Downey Jnr even more so. So overall, different but refreshing, clever and well made film and one of Fincher's better movies. 9/10 Bethany Cox