Zero Effect (1997)
80%RT Audience Score: 80%
Awards & Nominations: NA
A promising debut for writer/director Jake Kasdan, Zero Effect overcomes its flaws with its off-kilter humor and likeable leads
Zero Effect is a movie that’s as convoluted as a game of Twister, but with less fun. It’s a snooze-fest that will make you want to take a nap instead of trying to figure out the plot. However, if you’re looking for a movie that will put you to sleep, this is the one for you. The only thing that’s worth watching is Daryl Zero, the sociopathic detective who’s as charming as he is creepy. Overall, it’s a movie that’s best left in the past.
Production Company(ies)
Nouvelles Éditions de Films,
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Portland, Oregon, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language
Year of Release
1998
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital SDDS
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 55m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 30, 1998 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 16, 2013
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Bill Pullman, Ben Stiller, Ryan O’Neal, Kim Dickens, Angela Featherstone, Hugh Ross, Lisa Henson, Jake Kasdan, Janet Yang, directed by Jake Kasdan, written by Jake Kasdan, comedy, drama, R rating, box office performance, $2.0M gross USA, reviewed by Mike Clark, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Leonard Klady, Geoff Andrew, James Berardinelli, Susan Stark, CJ Sheu, David Nusair, Jeffrey M Anderson, Emanuel Levy, David Cornelius, Mike McGranaghan, private investigator, blackmail plot, eccentric, assistant, recluse, suspect, off-kilter humor, likeable leads, promising debut
Worldwide gross: $2,087,471
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,830,804
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,247
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 417,754
US/Canada gross: $2,087,471
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,830,804
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,883
US/Canada opening weekend: $434,840
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $797,993
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,305
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $5,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $9,175,705
Production budget ranking: 1,706
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,941,117
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$10,286,019
ROI to date (est.): -73%
ROI ranking: 1,822
Ben Stiller – Steve Arlo
Ryan O’Neal – Gregory Stark
Kim Dickens – Gloria Sullivan
Angela Featherstone – Jess
Hugh Ross – Bill
Director – Jake Kasdan
Producers – Lisa Henson, Jake Kasdan, Janet Yang
Writer – Jake Kasdan
Director(s)
Jake Kasdan
Writer(s)
Jake Kasdan
Producer(s)
Lisa Henson, Jake Kasdan, Janet Yang
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (50) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (32) | Rotten (18)
Zero Effect drones on for two hours unraveling a convoluted blackmail plot of zero interest.
January 9, 2018 | Rating: 1.5/4
Mike Clark
USA Today
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: C+
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
There’s an idiosyncratic talent at work here with the potential to blossom into bigger, better and more accomplished films.
March 26, 2009
Leonard Klady
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Kasdan’s is a very promising debut, its own dearth of feeling offset by able writing, engaging playing and a sure sense of pace.
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
It turns out to be disappointingly ordinary.
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 2.5/4
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
TOP CRITIC
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4
Susan Stark
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
Daryl: He still has that sociopathic patina, but we get glimpses of the real person inside, revealing the film to be not satire but a loving deconstruction of a genre[.]
July 1, 2020
CJ Sheu
Review Film Review
Filmmaker Kasdan, working from his own screenplay, delivers a lackadaisically-paced drama that remains entertaining throughout…
May 7, 2018 | Rating: 3/4
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews
A strong debut, and a very fun movie.
May 26, 2006 | Rating: 3/4
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
June 26, 2005 | Rating: 2/5
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Daryl Zero is a movie character for the ages.
April 4, 2005 | Rating: 5/5
David Cornelius
eFilmCritic.com
A hidden gem.
February 25, 2005 | Rating: 4/5
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat…
Plot
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.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Bill Pullman delivers an energetic and charismatic performance as the eccentric private investigator Daryl Zero.
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