Rating: - Gyllenhaal's performance makes ''Zodiac'' worth watching
It seems like a lot of serial killers sprang up in the 1960s/70s. The Boston Strangler, Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, and The Hillside Stranglers all brought fright and terror to their cities. One of the more bizarre serial killers was The Zodiac, who operated in the San Francisco area beginning in 1968. The film ''Zodiac'' focuses on the events surrounding his killings and how the case drove one man following the case nearly out of his mind.

In the movie the Zodiac killer begins his murder spree by shooting some young couples then eventually striking right in the heart of San Francisco. He then taunts the San Francisco Chronicle's staff with cryptic letters and proof that he knew secret details about the gruesome murders. The paper's cartoonist, Robert Graysmith (portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes obsessed with the case, along with the lead journalist Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.)

As the case progresses Downey's character becomes overwhelmed by personal demons and police make little progress in finding the killer. But Graysmith continues to hunt for clues, even as the killings stop and life moves on. Eventually Graysmith alienates everyone around him, annoys the police, and develops unsubstantiated theories about the Zodiac's identity, but a great personal cost.

The film has some good performances by Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo as one of the detectives, and Chloe Sevigny as Graysmith's wife. But Gyllenhaal is most memorable as the somewhat nerdy, obsessed, and driven character trying to unmask the killer. The film's setting in the Northern California affords some great cinematography work too. On the down side the plot is plodding at times and the ending is somewhat uneventful. It is worth watching if the case interests you, but don't be surprised if you come away somewhat unfulfilled.