by Rianne Hill Soriano

Created on: December 09, 2010

"Zodiac" is a dialogue-driven psychological thriller that spans almost three decades with its almost three-hour running time. It is an audio-visual essay with vagueness and directness at the same time.

Based on the Robert Graysmith book about the real-life serial killer Zodiac, this elegantly shot opus from director David Fincher gives a sense of involvement to the audience in witnessing the string of random murders that began during the 1960’s and trying to find out who Zodiac really is. The film maintains a methodical rhythm filled with fear, anxiety, confusion, tension, and obsession.

"Zodiac" does not rely on directly figuring out a twist in the story. It gives way for an emotional pay-off than a physical resolution.

For all the suspense it generates, this film’s smart and witty dialogues and its exhaustive details of psychological combat against a clever madman brilliantly sustain a distinct cinematic creep factor, along with a violation of the audience’s notion of security and investigation. It is highly impressive being a verbose cinematic offer as it is. It works very well with the dialogue uttered by every character.

As a meticulous, intriguing case study, "Zodiac" generally makes the viewer leave the theater feeling inquisitive enough to read the book, or perhaps, merely attempt a search about the case online. Whether the viewer is familiar with the source material or entirely clueless about who Zodiac really is, this film’s moody and atmospheric tone of investigative processes is definitely engaging. It effectively keeps the viewer in a constant state of unease with the intense drive to know the truth. With the many characters and turn of events, the focus Fincher crafted for the story is nothing less than masterly. Its anticlimactic route resonates nerve-wracking suspense to a true-crime mystery that brings up a number of social and universal issues.

"Zodiac" stays true to the real-life scenario. Having the allure of interpreting details and acquiring evidences, it has a shaky ground and an unhurried pace for action, suspense, drama, and dark humor. The equally delivering cinematography and production design, cerebrally engaging plot, existential narrative details, and relentless momentum of going nowhere promote a certain form of obsession the way the characters find it contagious to desperately solve the mystery behind the psycho.

Circumstantial evidences unaccepted by the legal party make the film more emotionally and

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