Zero Effect (Jake Kasdan, 1998)

[Fletch F. Fletch]

I came across this blog recently and was amazed that the film Zero Effect is ten years old! I remember when this one came out on DVD and how much I dug the hybrid of detective story, comedy and romance and how someone had finally given Bill Pullman a juicy role to sink his teeth into and really show off his acting chops. Before then, it seemed like he had a done of a lot of bland nice guy supporting roles (The Accidental Tourist, Sleepless in Seattle, Singles, etc.) but there was always this weirdness that was lurking in the corners of some of his performances that was finally allowed out on this one.

Some really interesting casting choices, esp. Kim Dickens as the film's, I guess, femme fatale-type/love interest. She plays well off of Pullman and it's interesting to watch how their relationship develops over the course of the film.

I also like how the film starts off almost like a '90s riff on Fletch with Pullman playing an eccentric detective who adopts all kinds of aliases and disguises to solve a mystery and then mutates into this oddly affecting romance between his character and a potential suspect. I think it is how Pullman delivers some of his line readings, with just a slightly off-kilter deadpan that gets me every time. He so good in this one and I wish the film had done better 'cos I would love to see him revisit this character again.

It also seems like one of Ben Stiller's last truly interesting roles back in time when he actually did some different kinds of roles instead of the neurotic schtick he seems to be coasting on nowadays.

Oh yeah, here's a cute little site that features screen-shots of the various aliases Pullman's character adopts throughout the film.

[domino harvey]

This was my favorite movie when I was in high school, and I think I was the only one (?) who put this on their American Top 50. Pullman gives one one of my favorite film performances, Ben Stiller is surprisingly reined in, and the film is endlessly quotable. It's really too bad this never became a series of films.

This was also the first DVD I ever bought (along with Boogie Nights at the same time) and I remember how excited I was at being able to hear Jake Kasdan talk about the film for two hours-- it's amazing how the simple pleasures get taken for granted now.

[Fletch F. Fletch]

This was my favorite movie when I was in high school, and I think I was the only one (?) who put this on their American Top 50. Pullman gives one one of my favorite film performances, Ben Stiller is surprisingly reined in, and the film is endlessly quotable. It's really too bad this never became a series of films.

This was also the first DVD I ever bought (along with Boogie Nights at the same time) and I remember how excited I was at being able to hear Jake Kasdan talk about the film for two hours-- it's amazing how the simple pleasures get taken for granted now.

Yes, this was one the earliest DVDs I bought as well and I remember Kasdan referencing a "hidden sentence" throughout the commentary in order for people to listen to the entire track in order to piece it together.

Pullman and Stiller made a great team in this film. In an ideal world, I would love to see a SE DVD of this with the failed pilot that Kasdan wrote and directed for NBC with Alan Cumming playing Zero.

[domino harvey]

Wasn't that the pilot that prompted Kasdan to make the TV Set? I didn't like the TV Set enough to stick through the commentary track, but I know there is one and I bet there's some good info there if so.

[ogygia avenue]

This was my favorite movie when I was in high school

Wait, back up here...you were in high school when Zero Effect came out?

[domino harvey]

Doing the math in my head, I think I would have been a freshman in high school (or high school) when it first came out, although I didn't see it til several years later. Who cares?

[ogygia avenue]

Doing the math in my head, I think I would have been a freshman in high school (or high school) when it first came out, although I didn't see it til several years later. Who cares?

DAMNED KIDS. GET OFF MY LAWN!!1!

</derail>

[sidehacker]

I'm in high school right now.

[domino harvey]

I'm in high school right now.

Time to watch Zero Effect.

[THX1378]

I remember seeing the film, and telling everyone that they had to see it since it was the best film I've ever seen Bill Pullman do. No one knew anything about the film, and most after seeing it said that they hated it. I think the film was way a head of it's time, and it makes a great paring for a double feature with The Big Lebowski.

[Anhedionisiac]

I saw it when I was something like twelve or thirteen. It kind of went over my head but kept nagging at me for a couple of years until I saw it again when I was about sixteen and fell head over heels for it.
As a matter of fact, my best friend back then gave me the dvd as a birthday present. Had to sell it a couple years ago, unfortunately.

The Lebowski double-team is an interesting pairing because of their differences.
I mean, for starters, Zero Effect starts in a manner that makes you think it'll keep off the beaten path but soon it becomes clear that it's extremely faithful to the plot that drops in his lap and gets quite, well, serious, which is surprising considering how conventional the afore-mentioned plot is. This gives it a sweet, and sad, tinge. "A person can't escape their nature", right?
By contrast, Lebowski, while densely plotted, is sort of riffing off the whims of others, coasting on fate. All he cares about is his rug. Abides and all that.
To summarize, Daryl loses most of his wit and finds some personal growth. Lebowski does not.

[Fletch F. Fletch]

The Lebowski double-team is an interesting pairing because of their differences.
I mean, for starters, Zero Effect starts in a manner that makes you think it'll keep off the beaten path but soon it becomes clear that it's extremely faithful to the plot that drops in his lap and gets quite, well, serious, which is surprising considering how conventional the afore-mentioned plot is. This gives it a sweet, and sad, tinge. "A person can't escape their nature", right?
By contrast, Lebowski, while densely plotted, is sort of riffing off the whims of others, coasting on fate. All he cares about is his rug. Abides and all that.
To summarize, Daryl loses most of his wit and finds some personal growth. Lebowski does not.

Altho, Lebowski does end on a bit of a bummer. Despite a little Lebowski being on the way, Donny dies.

I always thought that The Big Lebowski would make a good double bill with Zero Effect. I also find it interesting how both films came out within months of each other and both flopped commercially altho, Lebowski has gone on to develop quite a large and devoted cult following while Zero Effect has not and remained kinda underappreciated.