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

Liz Smith was cast at short notice after the original cast performer withdrew because of illness.

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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 Hangmen Also Die! (1943)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

A film to be experienced

I'm in the middle of a Martin Donovan marathon. I've seen "Apartment Zero" at least once a year for the last 14 years and every time, it changes, surprises you. I can't say that about many other films, Repulsion, Odd Man Out and very few others. What makes this film unique is that it doesn't try to make it easy for you. All of the gems that it offers have to be earned. Colin Firth, is simply monumental. The faces of his performance are endless. Look at the way he smiles, as if he didn't know how to. How he walks, as if his limbs had independent life. The world the film explores is filled with trap doors if you fall into the wrong one you're going to hate the experience, like a bad trip. But if you manage to get through the right one, the pleasures are infinite.