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Bill Pullman, Ben Stiller, Ryan O'Neal, Kim Dickens, Angela Featherstone ... see more see more... , Hugh Ross , Sara Devincentis , Matt O'Toole

Jake Kasdan made his feature film directorial debut with this oblique thriller about eccentric private detective Daryl Zero (Bill Pullman) and his sardonic front man partner Steve Arlo (Ben Stiller). ... read more read more...After the two are hired by blackmail victim Gregory Stark (Ryan O'Neal), Zero sets up a sting operation and soon focuses on his suspect, Gloria Sullivan (Kim Dickens), a woman he met at a health club. Thinking Zero is an accountant, she asks him to look over her tax return. Clues form a trail to hitman Kragan Vincent (Matt O'Toole), who could be Gloria's father. Amid the romance and revenge, Zero manages to write a few songs (actually written by Pullman and Kasdan). ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

73% liked it

7,398 ratings

Critics

64% liked it

47 critics

R, 1 hr. 55 min.

Directed by: Jake Kasdan

Release Date: June 1, 1997

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DVD Release Date: July 7, 1998

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Stats: 441 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (441)

  • jennifxu
    May 2, 2011
    jennifxu
    Starts off a little slow but once it gets going, it really goes. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
  • imrealgod
    February 8, 2011
    imrealgod
    A satisfactory entertainer in the veins of Sherlock Holmes.
  • Camus123
    July 19, 2007
    Camus123
    Little seen gem, this sleeper phenom is simply a must watch. Pullman is at his best and the character he creates is simply wonderful to behold. Great performances. Excellent brain teaser. Funny. Intriguing. Watch this movie,...NOW.
  • DrZeek
    July 8, 2007
    DrZeek
    Steve Arlo: Why are we talking on the phone?
    Daryl Zero: I told you. We can't be too careful. Two guys in an airport... talking? It's a little fishy.

    Very cool comedy-noir film.

    Bill Pullman stars as Daryl Zero, a detective that predates Monk in being a very quirky detective,... read more when on the job he is amazing. He is very smooth, knows exactly what he is doing, and follows his methods. When put into other situations, he has problems keeping that cool. He is somewhat socially awkward, does drugs, and doesn't really go outside.

    Ben Stiller also stars as his sidekick/representative. This was back in the 90s when Ben Stiller was playing in more low budget flicks as smart characters, opposed to the whole neurotic guy thing he's become more known for.

    The movie itself is a quirky character comedy with some romantic and dramatic moments, but it is also a good detective story with a well written mystery plot.

    The soundtrack is particularly good, combining some choice tunes with a nice and fitting score for the detective theme.

    Its a lot of fun just to watch the interplay between Pullman and Stiller, but when Pullman reveals a little more about himself, its great to see a real believable character from another angle.

    The plot itself is more something that needs to be seen, so as not to reveal too much of what actually happens, but suffice it to say that the twists unfold rather nicely and in a witty way.

    If there is any problem, it is that the movie starts to move slower and focus more on some of the dramatic angles of the story about halfway through, but that doesn't stop this from being a well made, witty detective story, with good characters.

    Gregory Stark: Is this your kid?
    Steve Arlo: Nope. Just a rental.
  • mjgildea
    October 27, 2006
    mjgildea
    Started off pretty well, but lost it's oddness as it went on.
  • stevetheman1236
    November 11, 2011
    stevetheman1236
    The first 45 minutes of Zero Effect are some of the best 45 minutes I've ever seen in a movie. It's so stylistic and exuberant that it's impossible not to enjoy yourself. The characters are great (especially the lead performance from Bill Pullman) and interesting, the soundtrack ... read moreis fabulous, and the story is pretty involving. It starts off like any detective movie, but it takes the road less traveled; a road that leads more towards drama than it does thrills.

    But as the movie goes on, it loses steam. The first half is so great but it is also very misleading. You think that you're getting into a good crime-caper film, when, in reality, things get real quiet real fast and everything's just going to end like you imagined.

    And a little predictability never hurt anyone. There are plenty of movies out there that recycle the same formula that's been done a thousand times and they somehow manage to pull it off. But you just can't start off so originally and then end so... well, plainly. I just kinda lost interest in the final minutes. I'm not asking for something mind-blowing; just something that I haven't seen before.

    And I also didn't like how the film started on Ben Stiller's character and then ended with Pullman's character. Stiller wasn't even really in the second half of the movie at all. Sure, I liked his character a lot less than Pullman's, but that doesn't mean I want him gone.

    Now, the high points of Zero Effect are three things. First off, the wonderful soundtrack by the Greyboy Allstars. It's a smooth blend of jazz and funk, and it's just a pure pleasure to the ears, keeping up right on pace with the action. Second, the camerawork. I'm not a big fan of static shots, so I like seeing the camera move. Especially when it's in angles that I've never seen before. And thirdly, the lead performance from Bill Pullman. Why wasn't he nominated for a Golden Globe or something? It's such an energetic and charismatic performance that is just a treat to watch.
  • wbgoose13
    June 23, 2007
    wbgoose13
    Constantly compelling mystery, courtesy of Pullman's brilliant recluse.
  • StefanoEarnest
    November 29, 2011
    StefanoEarnest
    The first 45 minutes of Zero Effect are some of the best 45 minutes I've ever seen in a movie. It's so stylistic and exuberant that it's impossible not to enjoy yourself. The characters are great (especially the lead performance from Bill Pullman) and interesting, the soundtrack ... read moreis fabulous, and the story is pretty involving. It starts off like any detective movie, but it takes the road less traveled; a road that leads more towards drama than it does thrills.

    But as the movie goes on, it loses steam. The first half is so great but it is also very misleading. You think that you're getting into a good crime-caper film, when, in reality, things get real quiet real fast and everything's just going to end like you imagined.

    And a little predictability never hurt anyone. There are plenty of movies out there that recycle the same formula that's been done a thousand times and they somehow manage to pull it off. But you just can't start off so originally and then end so... well, plainly. I just kinda lost interest in the final minutes. I'm not asking for something mind-blowing; just something that I haven't seen before.

    And I also didn't like how the film started on Ben Stiller's character and then ended with Pullman's character. Stiller wasn't even really in the second half of the movie at all. Sure, I liked his character a lot less than Pullman's, but that doesn't mean I want him gone.

    Now, the high points of Zero Effect are three things. First off, the wonderful soundtrack by the Greyboy Allstars. It's a smooth blend of jazz and funk, and it's just a pure pleasure to the ears, keeping up right on pace with the action. Second, the camerawork. I'm not a big fan of static shots, so I like seeing the camera move. Especially when it's in angles that I've never seen before. And thirdly, the lead performance from Bill Pullman. Why wasn't he nominated for a Golden Globe or something? It's such an energetic and charismatic performance that is just a treat to watch.
  • kylemydude
    December 5, 2009
    kylemydude
    Jake Kasdan's debut film is a quirky yet stylish underrated gem. Pullman and Stiller are terrific.
  • cacutshaw
    March 28, 2008
    cacutshaw
    A film that's deliberately quirky and works. It's always great to see Pullman in a lead role and he is great as the freakish Daryl Zero. Stiller is also fantastic in this constantly entertaining film.

View All Zero Effect Reviews

Critic Reviews

Leonard Klady
March 26, 2009
Leonard Klady, Variety

There's an idiosyncratic talent at work here with the potential to blossom into bigger, better and more accomplished films. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

It turns out to be disappointingly ordinary. Full Review

Elizabeth Williams
January 1, 2000
Elizabeth Williams, Salon.com

Try as it might, "Zero Effect" just doesn't amount to much. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This is one of those movies that creeps up on you, insidiously gathering power. By the end, I was surprised how much I was involved. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Both Mr. Pullman and the slyly restrained Mr. Stiller keep their characters entertaining even when Mr. Kasdan's interest is elsewhere. Full Review

Ruthe Stein
January 1, 2000
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle

Kasdan is onto something, but he needs to develop it. If he tries to bring Daryl Zero back for a sequel, maybe he'll have a better idea of what to do with his eccentric private eye. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Kasdan's is a very promising debut, its own dearth of feeling offset by able writing, engaging playing and a sure sense of pace. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
May 26, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

A strong debut, and a very fun movie. Full Review

David Cornelius
April 4, 2005
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com

Daryl Zero is a movie character for the ages. Full Review

Mike McGranaghan
February 25, 2005
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat

A hidden gem.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Zero Effect Trivia

  • Which movie has NOTHING to do with an end of the world scenario ?  Answer »
  • In the Zero Effect, Darryl Zero (Bill Pullman) is:  Answer »
  • "A few words here about following people. People know they are being followed when they turn around and see someone following them. They can't tell they're being followed if you get there first."   Answer »
  • Who plays the world's greatest living private detective in "Zero Effect"?   Answer »
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