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 | |
 |
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 |
|
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Wendy Westerwelle | ... | Motel Clerk |
|
|
Lauren Hasson | ... | Little Kid |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (149) »
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 | neo noir | whodunit | los angeles california | number in title |Taglines:
The world's most private detective.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
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 1998Gross USA:
$2,087,471Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$2,087,471Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
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 »
Written by Neil Gust and Elliott Smith
Performed by Heatmiser
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
When Arlo and Stark drive to the restaurant, they pass a Safeway store twice within a few seconds. 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
Rest My Head Against the WallWritten by Neil Gust and Elliott Smith
Performed by Heatmiser
Courtesy of Virgin Records America, Inc.
See more »
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OK, I thought this was an excellent movie. Having said that, where is the credit to Arthur Conan Doyle? When movies are based on the works of Shakespeare, such as modern day versions of Hamlet and Macbeth they always credit Shakespeares works.
Compare Zero Effect to A Scandal in Bohemia.
Compare the character Zero to Holmes: 1. both use drugs 2. both play a musical instrument 3. both apply astounding powers of observation to solve cases 4. both use disguises 5. both are loners who rely on their intermediaries (Watson/Arlo)
In Zero Effect, Arlo deals with conflicts between his romantic life and Zero's need of him to function. In A Scandal In Bohemia, Watson has recently married and Holmes and Waston must deal with the issue.
The first line of A Scandal In Bohemia reads: "To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman."
Guess what, in the end Sherlock doesn't get the girl and he admires her as his most capable adversary. I guess Doyle must have a copy of Zero Effect stashed away somewhere.
Again, I will say I thought is was a fantastic movie. I'm not always a big fan of Pullman, but he was excellent in the role. If you are considering not watching this movie because you don't like Ben Stiller, well don't let that stop you. He takes his normal persona down a couple notches. Don't expect to see any traces of Zoolander or Meet the Parents.