Zero Effect

Amazon.com

Zero Effect follows private investigator Daryl Zero and Steve Arlo, his reluctant representative, through one particularly tangled case involving blackmail, murder, revenge, and a set of lost keys. Zero is the world's best private investigator, suave and totally in control while on a case, but socially inept when off the job. The diversely talented and prolific Bill Pullman is excellently cast as Zero, switching seamlessly from one persona to the next, and the ever-charming Ben Stiller is his perfect sidekick. In a deadpan description of his method, or the "Zero Effect," Zero details his brilliance for Sherlock Holmes-like deductions, based on his strict adherence to objectivity and observation, or, in Zero parlance, "the obs." Somewhat predictably the obs falter when the case of the missing keys brings Zero to Gloria Sullivan, a winsome and mysterious paramedic played by Kim Dickens. Thankfully, writer-director Jake Kasdan is no less brilliant than the Zero he creates, and the potential corniness of the developing romance is balanced by a razor-sharp wit and the nail-biting suspense of the unfolding plot. --Laska Jimsen

Customer Reviews:

Circle gets the square!.......2006-03-02

Zero Effect (Jake Kasdan, 1998)

I saw this movie a few days ago, and have been mulling it over in my head ever since. I'm still trying to figure out if I liked it or not. I think so, but can't be sure.

Darryl Zero (While You Were Sleeping's Bill Pullman) is a private detective. Except he's a very odd private detective. He never meets with clients, always talking to them through his intermediary Steve Arlo (Keeping the Faith's Ben Stiller). He is quite capable of doing his job, and doing it well, but when he's off the clock, he turns into a neurotic wreck (did you ever see Creepshow? Think E. G. Marshall, but the sloppy version). Zero accepts a case from Gregory Stark (Ryan O'Neal), a wealthy chap who's being blackmailed. He won't say what he's being blackmailed about, of course. The farther into the case Zero gets, the odder things become, and on top of it all he finds himself extremely attracted to Gloria Sullivan (Thank You for Smoking's Kim Dickens), a paramedic he meets in the course of investigation.

Kasdan's feature film debut is a fun little flick, at least. Pullman is surprisingly good in the role, a definite change from the calm, tightly-wound types he normally plays. This is also one of those rare films where Ben Stiller shows that he can, in fact, act. Dickens also turns in an above-average performance, but everyone else involved seems rather dull; even O'Neal seems to be doing a (rather passable) attempt at a William Shatner impersonation. Amusing for what it is, but is loses its lustre when carried on for an entire film. Angela Featherstone, playing Arlo's girlfriend, seems thrown into the film solely for eye candy (the subplot that develops because her character exists could have been done in a number of ways), and the majority of the minor characters seem to be there for window dressing more than anything else. Also, the pace could have used a bit of tightening.

Still, not a bad movie by any means; it's just a first film, with many of the hallmarks of a first film. ** ½

Excellent detective........2004-12-05

Modern version of Sherlock Holmes...with Ben Stiller as Watson. Pullman is electric as the troubled PI. There are some holes in the plot but the overall effect of classic mystery elements & colorful detective in a 1990s setting is well worth checking out. Excellent music; although nothing is made of surround sound and the transfer to dvd is just ok. Technical aspects aside, this is above average fare. Great atmospheric shots of Portland, OR.

Maybe the best movie of 1998..........2004-10-23

This is an extremely entertaining little film - with Bill Pullman providing most of the laughs - alongside the usually comic Ben Stiller - who is somewhat serious in this role. The film is about an extremely talented private dick who is inexperienced in his own personal life - which takes an almost classic twist (reminiscent of some old hollywood films) when he falls for the charms of someone - who turns out to be equally adept at hiding things. This is a very unique, intelligent movie that will leave you satisfied and a little bit excited about what you have seen. I think this gives us a glimpse of what hollywood these days is capable of, but rarely delivers - a charming character study!

Zero Effect.......2004-02-04

The name says it all doesn't it. It had Zero Effect on me and my two buddies who watched it with me. I hope Ben stiller and Bill Pullman gave what they earned to charity. At least that way their time would have been waisted for a good cause. If only I had given the five euro rental charge to charity instead of the rental shop. I would have save myself a major BARF session. I'm giving this one five thumbs up, my lowest rating yet! The time I put into Zero Effect could have been spent talking to this babe I like.

Quirky but contrived.......2003-09-16

Yes, it's quirky and offbeat. The characterizations are well-done (I really enjoyed Stiller's portrayal of the "sidekick").

But the plot itself is a bit contrived; plot developments tend to appear out of thin air, rather than as a result of the actions of the protagonists, and some of them feel clumsy.

The pacing is irregular, dragging through characterizations then spurting forward with developments, and then repeating the cycle (which, admittedly, isn't necessarily a detraction from a movie, but I noticed it and didn't like it in this one).

All in all, it was a pleasant enough diversion, especially if you like the lead actors, but ultimately forgettable.

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