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Zero Effect

  • 19981998
  • RR
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
15K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
18,126
1,951
Zero Effect (1998)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
37 Photos
ComedyCrimeDrama
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 les... Read allThe 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!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!
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
15K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
18,126
1,951
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Jake Kasdan
    • Writer
      • Jake Kasdan
    • Stars
      • Bill Pullman
      • Ben Stiller
      • Ryan O'Neal
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Jake Kasdan
    • Writer
      • Jake Kasdan
    • Stars
      • Bill Pullman
      • Ben Stiller
      • Ryan O'Neal
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 159User reviews
    • 82Critic reviews
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Zero Effect
    Trailer 0:31
    Zero Effect

    Photos37

    Kim Dickens in Zero Effect (1998)
    Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller in Zero Effect (1998)
    Kim Dickens in Zero Effect (1998)
    Zero Effect (1998)
    Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller in Zero Effect (1998)
    Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller in Zero Effect (1998)
    Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller in Zero Effect (1998)
    Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller in Zero Effect (1998)
    Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller in Zero Effect (1998)
    Bill Pullman, Ben Stiller, and Ryan O'Neal in Zero Effect (1998)
    Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller in Zero Effect (1998)
    Zero Effect (1998)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bill Pullman
    Bill Pullman
    • Daryl Zero
    Ben Stiller
    Ben Stiller
    • Steve Arlo
    Ryan O'Neal
    Ryan O'Neal
    • Gregory Stark
    Kim Dickens
    Kim Dickens
    • Gloria Sullivan
    Angela Featherstone
    Angela Featherstone
    • Jess
    Hugh Ross
    • Bill
    Sarah DeVincentis
    • Daisy
    Matt O'Toole
    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
    Daniel Pershing
    Daniel Pershing
    • Rahim
    David Doty
    • Officer Hagans
    J.W. Crawford
    J.W. Crawford
    • Convention Employee
    • Director
      • Jake Kasdan
    • Writer
      • Jake Kasdan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jake Kasdan wrote the part of Daryl Zero specifically for Bill Pullman after meeting the actor on the set of The Accidental Tourist (1988), directed by his father, Lawrence Kasdan.
    • Goofs
      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

      Daryl Zero: Now, a few words on looking for things. When you go looking for something specific, your chances of finding it are very bad. Because of all the things in the world, you're only looking for one of them. When you go looking for anything at all, your chances of finding it are very good. Because of all the things in the world, you're sure to find some of them.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Zero Effect/Deep Rising/Great Expectations/Desperate Measures/Deceiver (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Mystery Dance
      Written and Performed by Elvis Costello

      Courtesy of Rykodisc and Demon Records Ltd.

      by arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

    User reviews159

    Review
    Top review
    The true mark of successful celluloid work
    is whether it can withstand a subsequent viewing. Zero Efect does. The only tragedy concerning this uniquely styled mystery will be if its Director (Jake Kasden) and scriptwriters never produce a sequel.

    In TV reviews this film is accurately billed as a - wickedly quirky detective comedy thriller. It is safe to say the old cliché they-don't-make-them-like-that-anymore applies, and in truth, they probably never made them like this beforehand either! The one resemblance to other filmmakers work is that there is a Coen-esquire; vibe to it. A true compliment indeed.

    Usually, American movies often high on gloss, glitter and noise lack the essential ingredient that compels viewers to become completely engrossed: that of depth. Or more precisely, the hook is depth and complexity. Here, offbeat quirkiness provides the humour. A non-format story pans out to provide novelty. A moderately paced detective story throws up one surprising twist after another, backed musically where appropriate to support the flawlessly acted evolution of an ever-deepening plot. All of which combine to unravel a charming, cogent mystery.

    The problem this finely balanced inventive film creates is that by comparison it brings home the paucity of run-of-the-mill who-dun-its. Given the summary above Zero Effect, and films of this ilk, may prove more suited to European than American audiences. Films that make the viewer do some work ultimately tend to be the most absorbing and successful (e.g. recall - The Usual Suspects).

    The five central characters each achieve the professional actors quest of being thoroughly and seamlessly believable, subtly injecting humour, pathos, unpredictability and sensitivity. You can easily empathise with them as their characterisations play out. Kasden's film excels as what must be the definitive comical mystery in all respects, perhaps setting the benchmark for future detective films to surpass.

    ~
    helpful•4
    0
    • blueboot
    • Dec 29, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 30, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Нульовий ефект
    • Filming locations
      • Portland, Oregon, USA
    • Production companies
      • Castle Rock Entertainment
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Janet Yang Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,087,471
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $434,840
      • Feb 1, 1998
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,087,471
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 56 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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