Apartment Zero (1988)

Set in modern day Buenos Aires, the film centers around a relationship between two emotionally crippled roommates. Adrian LeDuc is a lonely sociopath who is forced to rent his insane ... See full summary »

Director:

Martin Donovan

Writers:

Martin Donovan (story), Martin Donovan (screenplay),

Stars:

Hart Bochner, Colin Firth, Dora Bryan

5 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hart Bochner	...	Jack Carney
Colin Firth	...	Adrian LeDuc
Dora Bryan	...	Margaret McKinney
Liz Smith	...	Mary Louise McKinney
Fabrizio Bentivoglio	...	Carlos Sanchez-Verne
James Telfer	...	Vanessa
Mirella D'Angelo	...	Laura Werpachowsky
Juan Vitali	...	Alberto Werpachowsky
Cipe Lincovsky	...	Mrs. Treniev
Francesca d'Aloja	...	Claudia
Miguel Ligero	...	Mr. Palma
Elvia Andreoli	...	Adrian's Mother
Marikena Monti	...	Tango Singer
Luis Romero	...	Projectionist
Oca Spirito	...	Woman in Cinema 1

Storyline

Set in modern day Buenos Aires, the film centers around a relationship between two emotionally crippled roommates. Adrian LeDuc is a lonely sociopath who is forced to rent his insane mothers room due to poor ticket sales at his revival movie theater. Jack Carney, the new roommate, appears normal enough at first but it soon becomes apparent that he is hiding something. As their friendship develops, Adrian suppresses his suspicions that Jack may be the government mercenary turned serial killer who has been terrorizing the city. The other eccentric residents of the building begin to worry as Adrian shows increasing signs that his mothers insanity may be hereditary. The shocking climax of this twisted tale of deceit, perversion and murder reveals the darker side of the human psyche.

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Plot Keywords:

roommate | friendship | deceit | insanity | mercenary | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK Argentina

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

15 September 1989 (UK)

Also Known As:

A nulladik lakosztály

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$670,774 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Producers Representative Organization, Summit Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min 117 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Finnish censorship visa (video): I-05032

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Quotes

Jack Carney: [after breaking a dead woman's back] I should have been a chiropractor.

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Connections

References The Godfather (1972)

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Soundtracks

"Cambalache"
By Enrique Santos Discepolo
Arranged by Luis Maria Serra

User Reviews

Disturbing, unsettling, and you just can't get enough of it.

You need a well-developed taste for the bizarre to appreciate this unique movie gem. Here's a complex film that's guaranteed to get under your skin. Despite some direct references to "Psycho," "Repulsion," "Sisters" and other shockers, the film comes off as wholly original, largely due to its two vivid main characters and its smart Buenos Aires setting. The two principals represent opposite sides of one another: Adrian is uptight, uncomfortable, and unable to bear human contact until Jack arrives like a beautiful Angel of Death, charming women and men alike with his seemingly easygoing, nonjudgmental demeanor. He manages to fulfill a need in each of the apartment building's dwellers. They eagerly welcome him into their lives unaware of his capacity for evil. A wolf in sheep's clothing. The Buenos Aires locale provides a similar duality, as both a familiar urban landscape and a strange, foreign, detached environment. It's a place where covert political intrigue can go unquestioned, and where any inhabitant can lead an anonymous, rootless existence. Wonderful evocative music helps set the stage. "Apartment Zero" is a guessing game right up to the end.