Does 'Zodiac' have signs of Oscar glory?
Early reviews for the David Fincher-directed thriller "Zodiac," which opens wide Friday, are outstanding and could signal the first serious '08 Oscar candidate. The film, clocking in at 2 hours and 40 minutes, details the lifelong obsession of one man, Robert Graysmith (played by Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal) with finding a serial killer who terrorized the Bay area in the 1970s. With strong support from Oscar nominee Robert Downey, Jr. as a crime reporter and Mark Ruffalo as the chief detective, the film is being hailed as must-see by some of the leading critics.
Owen Glieberman of Entertainment Weekly describes the movie as "an intricate and dazzling drama" while David Ansen of Newsweek calls it "riveting" and "the first Fincher movie in which the style serves the subject, rather than the other way around." In Variety, Todd McCarthy says "the performances and casting are impeccable down to the smallest role" while Peter Travers of Rolling Stone singles out "Downey who gives a blazing performance that runs the gamut from humor to heartbreak."
After the commercial success of such taut thrillers as "Se7en" and "Fight Club," Fincher is finally earning the kinds of reviews that could lead to an Oscar nomination. The only caveat is his reputation for demanding upwards of 100 takes of his actors. While his directing brethren might appreciate this tactic, the thespians could well resent it.
Photo: Oscar nominees Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey, Jr. as two intrepid reporters (shades of "All The President's Men") tracking down a serial killer in 1970s San Francisco. (Warner Bros.)
Everybody with me, the movie JUST CAME OUT! Now! In March! It's a bit premature to be talking about what is going to be nominated for an Oscar considering we aren't even at the half-year mark. If we are going to play this game, understand that movies like "Crash" and "Erin Brockovich" did very well Oscar time and they were released in the first half of the year. Quality lasts throughout the year. But seriously. It's March. Can we wait for the Oscar talk?
Posted by: junior | March 02, 2007 at 10:59 AM
I think it has a chance... they got to play smart a la Silence of the Lambs, which was released at the beginning of it's year way back in the 90's. Plan out your strategy, the DVD has to come out just when voters are expecting to see the big award winners, and there's got to be a reminder of the film.
I am sad, this movie is top notch best picture material. Had they moved this up, a la Letters from IWO JIMMA, the 2007 oscars would have been an entirely different landscape.
Posted by: Mozz Mendez | March 02, 2007 at 10:37 AM
Isn't the fact that this film is being released now pretty much guarantee that this film will be long forgotten by oscars 08? Even summer movies (excpet for maybe Gladiator) are usually ignored come oscar time.
Posted by: andrew | March 01, 2007 at 11:38 PM