3. Paul Avery - Zodiac (2007)
David Fincher's
Zodiac, based on the true story of a mysterious serial killer who terrorised the inhabitants of San Francisco for decades, is packed to the brim with fine, pitch-perfect performances, especially those from Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and - you guessed it - Robert Downey Jr.. And here's another Robert Downey Jr. movie (there are three on this list alone) that didn't get enough attention upon its first release, though here's a flick that shows Downey Jr. in a completely different light to what the masses might be used to. As Paul Avery, a writer for the
San Francisco Chronicle, the actor reigns in his natural flamboyancy and delivers an excellent , weighed performance, showing how effective he can be even when he's honing it in. There's less "smart mouth" and more quiet drama to be glimpsed here, which is ultimately tragic and disheartening to watch. When Paul Avery becomes obsessed with the case and finds himself at a loose end, he spirals into darkness and alcohol abuse - you can almost imagine Downey Jr. channeling his past to deliver the goods. A fine, understated performance from the wonderful actor.