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Zodiac

year 2007decade 00sdirector David Finchergenre Crimegenre Thriller

157 minutes

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Jake Gyllenhaal Robert Graysmith
Mark Ruffalo Inspector Dave Toschi
Robert Downey Jr. Paul Avery
Anthony Edwards Inspector Bill Armstrong
Brian Cox Melvin Belli
Charles Fleischer Bob Vaughn
Zach Grenier Mel Nicolai
Philip Baker Hall Sherwood Morrill
Elias Koteas Sergeant Jack Mulanax
James LeGros Detective George Bawart

Zodiac | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Sean Fennesseyproducer Craig Horlbeckproducer Chia Hao Tatproducer Eduardo Ocampoproducer Matt Pevic format Video on Spotify and Netflix
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Roger Ebert's review

Roger Ebert’s four-star review is discussed, including its comparison to All the President’s Men.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:09:27Read transcript
  • Ebert awarded Zodiac four stars.
  • The review compared the film’s procedural texture to All the President’s Men.

Casting What-Ifs

Gary Oldman, Orlando Bloom, Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Aniston appear in a detailed casting history.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 02:07:46Read transcript
  • Gary Oldman was considered for Melvin Belli but physical resemblance was an issue.
  • Orlando Bloom was lined up as an alternative Graysmith.
  • Jennifer Aniston reportedly recommended Gyllenhaal and Ruffalo to Fincher.
  • Aniston declined the Chloë Sevigny role.
  • Fincher wanted Brad Pitt for Avery before Robert Downey Jr.
  • The panel prefers Downey’s fast, nervy energy for Avery.

Half-Assed Internet Research

Research covers period reconstruction, digital photography, a 1972 sting film, repeated straw takes, Ruffalo’s deal, and a cocktail.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 02:15:19Read transcript
  • Production used period photos to recreate streets, cars, and the number of Volkswagen Beetles.
  • The Thomson Viper digital camera is discussed as an early major digital-production choice.
  • A 1972 Zodiac movie was reportedly screened as part of an attempted sting.
  • The filmmakers behind that movie hoped the killer would attend.
  • Downey’s straw trick reportedly required 26 takes.
  • Ruffalo recounts a blunt studio negotiation over his casting.
  • The movie’s cocktail recipe is enumerated and judged unappealing.

Picking Nits

Meetings, the roadside sequence, a clue, detective conduct, food history, and Herb Caen produce distinct nitpicks.

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 02:30:49Read transcript
  • The number and arrangement of cartoonist meetings are questioned.
  • Ione Skye pulling over for the stranger is questioned.
  • The Narlow clue is questioned.
  • Detectives interacting so freely with a prime suspect is questioned.
  • Penne alla vodka is flagged as a possible historical error.
  • The handling of Herb Caen is questioned.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

The explicit questions ask who the Zodiac was, why police did not begin with people known to victims, what non-work obsession could consume a life, whether Graysmith saw money in the project, and how a 1970s handwriting expert established authority.

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 02:35:26Read transcript
  • Who was the Zodiac killer?
  • Why do police in serial-killer stories fail to begin with people the victims knew?
  • What non-work subject could someone pursue so obsessively that they would throw their life away?
  • Did Graysmith eventually see that his obsession could make money?
  • What qualified a 1970s handwriting expert, and what made one better than another?

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