Zero Effect (1998)

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

Zero Effect is a movie that when you are done watching it, you will be hard-pressed to come up with a parallel film to compare it to. It truly is unique. Its blend of comedy, crime and drama is outstanding.For people who like unusual characters, the main character, Daryl Zero, is detached from much of life but is a brilliant private investigator. For those of you who may be curious about what is really going on with him, I would say that he could be diagnosed with Schizoid Personality Disorder (though he also has some Obsessive Compulsive Disorder traits).There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the film, many of which are totally unexpected. The acting is very well done and the script seems to move the story along at a nice pace.I believe the opening ten minutes may be one of the best lead-ins to introduce a character.As I write this, I think the only film that I can come up with that may be similar is "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang." If you enjoyed "Zero Effect" you will likely enjoy "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang" as well.

I couldn't find the planetarium in the Movie. I saw it on TV so I can't back it up to check the name, but it was something like MacRidges or MacFadridge, Does anyone know if there is really such a planetarium or did they make up the name? It would seem silly to do so. I did enjoy the movie, and to me too it seemed a precursor of Monk. I also don't think we'll ever get bored with the Holmes and Watson combination theme either. Overall a great whodunit with plenty of plot twists and foreshadowing. Ben Stiller was great as usual in his supporting role. I wouldn't mind seeing a Zero 2 myself. I was impressed with the directing and also the photography in this movie. It was clear, easy to see, and therefore easier to follow the plot.

Frankly I loved this movie, which is kind of an update of the classic eccentric genius, Sherlock Holmes. Bill Pullman plays a nerdy bachelor (Darrel Zero) who is "The greatest private eye in the world" and Ben Stiller is his somewhat put upon assistant. Like Holmes, Zero has uncanny investigative skills, and is given to pithy maxims and asides regarding how he does his work. Ryan O'Neal plays an unlikeable tycoon (Stark) with a secret or two, and who hires Zero to help him out with his problem, which revolves around the loss of a safe deposit box key and blackmail. The rest of the story is an entertaining series of plot twists and turns. The gentle and less than heavy handed humor mixes well with the inevitable skullduggery that ensues. The ending is such that you rather hope for a sequel, which unfortunately never materialized. An under-appreciated gem.

While I admit gladly that this was a really entertaining story and Bill and Ben work so well together, for some reason this just wasn't to me an good movie to watch. I also definitely fell asleep on it twice, which is a bad sign in my case. Bill plays a detective who is trying to figure out a blackmailer and where a tycoon's keys are. But unfortunately for him his partner played by Ben Stiller, he wants to quit and settle down with his girlfriend. Also, Bill happens to fall in love with the blackmailer from what I understand and it gets in the way, big time.Not my type of movie, it was kind of boring to me. I know that IMDb users will not find this comment useful, that's OK. I don't want to spend a paragraph on why I didn't enjoy the movie, you're just going to have to take my word on it.6/10