Jake is clearly relieved to be free of this world that obsessed him as it had done his character Robert Graysmith. "Some of the people on set revelled in it, others were very disturbed by it. But it was very interesting for all of us involved. We worked six months on it which is a big job if you're immersed in that world."
The more you read about the original Zodiac killings and Robert Graysmith's accounts of his hunt to identify the killer, as well as the experience of watching Zodiac and hearing of what it was like on set for actors and director, it becomes less surprising that this is a film that gets under your skin and into your mind and stays there. As Jake says: "I don't think I ever want to get back into the Zodiac world again, but it's quite a world to be in."
Pictures from IHJ.
12 comments:
WDW, you are making it so easy for the serious Jake fan to get beyond his outside beauty and into the beauty of his mind. Everyday you deliver such INSIGHTFUL and delightful information. Thanks for continuing to discuss ZODIAC, It's not a film that can be easily forgotten. The more I read about it, the more respect I have for David Fincher and the sometimes difficult times the cast had to endure all in the name of this masterpiece of a film. Not too many films deserve to be in that league, but this one is and that other one Jake made ....oh, yeah. BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. You know how I feel about BBM and couldn't be more proud that Jake followed it up with another of that special class!
Wow Dani, thanks for that. That's my aim, to reflect on both aspects of Jake that I enjoy so much. Brokeback Mountain remains special for me as it does for you, but I can't get Zodiac out of my system. I find it incredible that Jake has done film upon film of the utmost quality. Gotta make you wonder what's coming :D
Hello Dani!
Though I haven't been lucky enough to see Zodiac and I haven't the faintest idea when it's going to reach this far-off corner, I agree in entirety with your words. Through WDW's articles, I have such a powerful sense of the film and the calibre of thinking and execution that went into the creation of such an exceptional work. I am almost seeing Zodiac as I read WDW's articles.
Thank you for this beautiful post - it has captured the essence of a blog that is cerebral as well as all about the heart and integrates the two seamlessly.
And yes I am totally with you about Brokeback Mountain and the way you feel about Jake.
You are both so right - Zodiac is a thriller in the class of Silence of the Lambs - serious, thoughtful and intense. It does stay with you. I hope is does well at Cannes and at Oscar time! Very few films of this type win Oscars like Silence did, at least that I am aware of. I rarely even see them, unless there's something that draws me, like Silence, Se7en and Zodiac. I'm happy that Jake chooses these kinds of films. I plan on buying the DVD and adding it to my collection, so I can enjoy those wonderful details over and over again. I still can't listen to Hurdy Gurdy Man without getting chills. I seldom look back on a murder scene and describe it as "well done", but that one got it's message across chillingly well, both visually and with sound.
Brokeback Mountain will always be a special film to me as well.
Thank you Ingonita - my main concern with Zodiac is that I want to do it justice, especially for all the people outside the US who haven't seen it yet but are shortly to do so. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it does reach your corner of the world as it should be seene everywhere. But I worry about not doing it justice enough. As for Jake, he's my inspiration.
Anon - thank you very much for commenting. Hurdy Gurdy does exactly the same to me too. I've never been a big fan of 'serial killer movies', although after Se7en, I thought Zodiac might be different. I had no idea how different though.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Cannes.
Let me jump in to also thank WDW for such intelligent posts -- a rarity, indeed, in this virtual world. Quite refreshing!
I do hope that audiences across the pond appreciate Zodiac more than U.S. audiences apparently have. I suspect they will, actually. U.S. audiences, IMO, tend to want to keep folks in little boxes, never allowing them to stretch and try something new, or just different. True, Fincher has specialized in films about serial killers, but Zodiac is so different from his others (or ANY such films) that it doesn't fit the "genre," which seems to have confused his fans. Very sad.
And Jake? Well, he hasn't repeated himself yet, and I suspect he never will. He does keep us guessing, doesn't he?
Thanks Beckela. I think European audiences will give this film a better chance and not be opposed to having thelves stretched.
As for Jake, he continually surprises. Thhat way he will hopefully avoid the stereotyped roles.
For those who will look (and American audiences are not keen on that) you can indeed see what Jake meant by his and others' reaction to the theme of Zodiac. That is part of the genius behind the extraordinary film. Even the pencils used were made at the time of the story.
Unless you are Stephen Hawking this is a film that begs to be seen a minimum of two times. It is too rich in detail and nuance.
I didn't even get some of the dry humor jokes the first time. Yes, the film is full of humor as well as dogged determination. Hey, so is life. All part of the genius of this film.
We've all read the complaints of 40 takes and as, dani said, the difficulties, but Fincher had a couple of gold mines on his hands and of course one sparkling diamond mine as well and, in my opinion he "mined" masterful as well as truthful portrayals for us to marvel at.
Robert Downey Jr. has some of the best lines but Jake was given the opportunity to have the best facial expressions and as we know, he can say more with his eyes and a turn of his mouth than most actors can with a soliloquy!
Jake may be glad it's over and I'm glad for him but also grateful to him for one hell of a masterful portrayal for me to enjoy - several times over.
Gulliver aka iwishiknew
Gulliver - Thank you so much for taking the time to post such a long and considered comment about a film that clearly matters as much to you as it does to me.
I agree that one viewing is only enough to brush the surface. I miised a great deal the first time - maybe there was also an element of overenthusiasm at seeing Jake on a big screen for the first time in over a year - and I couldn't settle until I'd seen it again.
There is a surprising amount of humour in Zodiac and I'm glad that much of it is in scenes between Jake and Robert Downey Jr. Jake has very good comic timing and I wouldn't mind seeing more of that in the future.
Fincher had a couple of gold mines on his hands and of course one sparkling diamond mine as well and, in my opinion he "mined" masterful as well as truthful portrayals for us to marvel at.
I love that. What a wonderful way to describe Jake and that dramatically evokes how hard it can be to extract the finest gems but that perseverance is well rewarded.
Gulliver! Brilliant assessment all around. And, yes, the humor is excellent amidst the well-built tension.
I look forward to the DVD so I can savor every delicious moment.
Oh my! I need to make a point of checking back more often. I nearly missed all of these very thoughful comments about ZODIAC. I saw it only five times before it disappeared from my local area.And as far as I am concerned that was not enough to absorb everything this film has to offer. Each time I saw something new. So much reach detail. Down to the soundtrack. which I listen to everyday in my car on the way to work. There was not one sour note in this movie! I am envious that now Europe and the UK get to experience this phenomenal cinematic achievement. I am seriously thinking of going back to Los Angeles just to see it again. Surely, it must still be playing somewhere around there. If not, I guess waiting for the DVD on June 26th will have to suffice. If I can stand waiting that long. It's so nice to be in great company at WDW!
Post a Comment