Zero Effect (1998)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Jake Kasdan

Writer (WGA):

Jake Kasdan (written by)

Release Date:

30 January 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Thriller | Mystery

Tagline:

The world's most private detective.

Plot:

The world's greatest detective Daryl Zero aided by his associate Steve Arlo investigates a complex and mysterious case of blackmail and missing keys for shady tycoon Gregory Stark who is less than forthcoming about what is really happening!

Plot Keywords:

Blackmail | Private Detective | Fake Identity | Health Club | Secrecy

Cast

Bill Pullman	...	Daryl Zero
Ben Stiller	...	Steve Arlo
Ryan O'Neal	...	Gregory Stark
Kim Dickens	...	Gloria Sullivan
Angela Featherstone	...	Jess
Hugh Ross	...	Bill
Sarah DeVincentis	...	Daisy
Matt O'Toole	...	Kragan Vincent
Michele Mariana	...	Maid
Robert Katims	...	Gerald Auerbach
Tyrone Henry	...	Staffer #1
Aleta Barthell	...	Staffer #2
Tapp Watkins	...	Firefighter
Wendy Westerwelle	...	Motel Clerk
Lauren Hasson	...	Little Kid

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Norway:15 (TV rating) | Germany:12 | Netherlands:16 (video premiere) | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | UK:15 | USA:R | Argentina:16 | Singapore:PG | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Crown Point, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, USA

Company:

Castle Rock Entertainment

Trivia:

The blackmailer uses a computer running OpenStep (NeXT OS) to type the blackmail letter.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the diner, the spelling of "SODA FOUNTAIN" on the window behind the actors switches from "SODA FOUNTIAN" to the correct spelling between shots.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Steve Arlo: It's an uncompromising standard of his practice. He never meets any of his clients. He doesn't speak with them, or, for that matter, communicate in any direct fashion. That's his policy. But I am his sole representative and he is my only employer; and as such...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

Soundtrack:

Mystery Dance

Not to be overlooked

I didn't see this in theaters because most critics up here were dismissive of it, so I checked it out when it hit video and what I wanted wasn't available. I should have ignored the critics. Even if, like me, you're not well versed in Sherlock Holmes (which this film is inspired by), you should enjoy this movie. Bill Pullman is wonderful as Daryl Zero, who lives his professional life by the two "obs; observation and objectivity." He's quirky without being overly eccentric, and he's very believable and touching. Ben Stiller is a nice foil as his front man. Kim Dickens proves after PALOOKAVILLE and this that she's a talent to watch. I even liked Ryan O'Neal, whom I'm not a fan of. I'm definitely looking forward to Jake Kasdan's next film; he looks like he may be as talented as his father.