Zero Effect (1998)

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 | Investigation | Paranoia | Fire Alarm

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:

Crew or equipment visible: When the camera tilts up in front of an ambulance, the dolly and camera can be seen for about a second, reflected in the ambulance's windows and doors.

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:

Emma J

A great movie, but credit is due to Doyle.

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.