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!
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Title: Zero Effect (1998)
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1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Bill Pullman | ... | Daryl Zero | |
| Ben Stiller | ... | Steve Arlo | |
| Ryan O'Neal | ... | Gregory Stark | |
| Kim Dickens | ... | Gloria Sullivan | |
| Angela Featherstone | ... | Jess | |
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Hugh Ross | ... | Bill |
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Sarah DeVincentis | ... | Daisy |
| Matt O'Toole | ... | Kragan Vincent | |
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Michele Mariana | ... | Maid |
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Robert Katims | ... | Gerald Auerbach |
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Tyrone Henry | ... | Staffer #1 |
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Aleta Barthell | ... | Staffer #2 |
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Tapp Watkins | ... | Firefighter |
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Wendy Westerwelle | ... | Motel Clerk |
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Lauren Hasson | ... | Little Kid |
Edit
Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
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Storyline
Daryl Zero is a private investigator. Along with his assistant, Steve Arlo he solves impossible crimes and puzzles. Though a master investigator, when he is not working, Zero doesn't know what to do with himself. He has no social skills, writes bad music, and drives Arlo crazy. In his latest case, Zero must find out who is blackmailing a rich executive, and when his client won't tell him, why. The only problem with this case is Zero has done something he's never done before: got emotionally involved. Written by MartianWax
Plot Keywords:
private detective | los angeles california | neo noir | number in title | client |Taglines:
The world's most private detective.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
30 January 1998 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
La méthode zéro See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$5,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$434,840, 1 February 1998, Limited ReleaseGross USA:
$1,980,338, 1 March 1998Company Credits
Production Co:
Castle Rock Entertainment,Columbia Pictures Corporation,Manifest Film Company See more »
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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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, I have full authorization to speak on his behalf on all his matters of business. I have with me a signed letter to that effect. He doesn't negotiate his fee. He works at a flat rate. Under some unusual circumstances, he'll ...
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Written and Performed by Brendan Benson
Courtesy of Virgin Records America, Inc.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The blackmailer uses a computer running OpenStep (NeXT OS) to type the blackmail letter. See more »Goofs
A shadow of the boom mic is visible in the early kitchen scene. See more »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, I have full authorization to speak on his behalf on all his matters of business. I have with me a signed letter to that effect. He doesn't negotiate his fee. He works at a flat rate. Under some unusual circumstances, he'll ...
See more »
Soundtracks
Emma JWritten and Performed by Brendan Benson
Courtesy of Virgin Records America, Inc.
See more »
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Excellent story and dialog. Certainly underrated. The film has great performances by Bill Pullman and Kim Dickens, as well as Ben Stiller. This one seems to have gone unnoticed by most people, but it was clever and entertaining. The plot moves and has plenty of twists, but the plot twists are not what makes the film great. The characters and their development are what make this movie unique. Daryl Zero is one of the most memorable private detectives I have ever seen and his relationship with Gloria Sullivan (Kim Dickens) is well developed. Daryl's sidekick, Ben Stiller, is interesting too as his loyalties are tested throughout the film. At first it is difficult to determine how astute Daryl is--is he really the "most observant" person in the world? Or is he a bumbling fake? As the story develops, you see how adept Daryl Zero is. Even the soundtrack is good with a great song by Nick Cave.