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.
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.