Rating:
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Zero Effect
USA, 1998
[Jake Kasdan]
Bill Pullman, Ben Stiller, Ryan O'Neal, Kim Dickens
Comedy / Mystery
Interesting and mildly convoluted whodunnit with the 'Worlds Greatest Detective' Darryl Zero (Pullman) and his long suffering partner and front man Steve Arlo (Stiller). Hired to investigate a seemingly routine blackmail case, Zero's obsessive reclusiveness is tested to the limits when he falls in love with the blackmailer and begins to investigate the blackmailee. This is the most interesting and unique part of the film and Bill Pullman is perfectly cast as the definitively weird Zero, hiding away alone with only Ben Stiller's Arlo knowing who he is.

As the film moves along at a comfortably slow pace we become more aware of the motives and personalities of the 4 main players.  None are the stereotypical bad guy or good guy and this lends the film a very refreshing air which keeps you watching till the end. Zero's awakening itself is superbly written and acted and the finale is not what we've come to expect from Hollywood. If there was any justice in the world this should spawn at least a sequel. But it won't.

Editor's Correction 20th August 2008: An attempt was made to spin Zero Effect off as a TV show in 2002, with Alan Cumming as Zero and Jake Kasdan back as director. Nothing came of it.
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