"Zero effect": when the past is overtaken

The film "Zero effect" is the debut project of Jake Kasdan, a hereditary cinematographer. Now he basically shoots serials. His father, the producer, scriptwriter, director Lawrence Kasdan (he wrote the script for the famous "The Bodyguard" and several parts of the "Star Wars") is better known. On the main roles, the young director invited Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller. The first, i.e. Bill Pullman, plays the mysterious detective Daryl Zero (Zero), and the second - his assistant. The plot of the painting "Zero effect" echoes one of the stories of the great British Conan Doyle about his legendary hero Sherlock Holmes. This work "Scandal in Bohemia." At that time Holmes and his faithful companion Watson were charged with a rather delicate matter of blackmail. It was during the investigation of this scam, due to which one crowned person could suffer, the detective faced Irene Adler, who has a remarkable mind and infinite charm. "Zero effect" does not follow the original in everything. However, the detective-misanthrope is present. Bill Pullman coped well with the role of an eccentric genius, eschewing people. He deals business "indirectly", communicating with clients through his secretary. Pullman was remembered by fans of thrillers and psychedelic creations of David Lynch on filming in one of the most mysterious films of the master "Highway to Nowhere".

Cases of the past years

The action takes place in Portland. Daryl hires a wealthy elderly man named Gregory Stark. He is being blackmailed, and they demand a large sum. The malefactor is clever and sophisticated. However, when the detective begins to understand who and for what Stark is following, he already doubts: whether to confirm his reputation as a master of search, or to stand on the side of the criminal. The fact is that once in the past Stark was literally obsessed with the girl Jess, who accused him of violence. The furious cavalier hired a killer and destroyed the former lover. She, however, managed to give birth to a daughter. It was Gloria, the daughter of Gregory, who is the fruit of that tragic love and blackmail. The case stalled, not without reason the tape is called "Zero effect" (of course, there is a roll call with the name of the main character).

The premiere was in Cannes

The role of a man with a dark past, Stark, was performed by Ryan O'Neal, an American actor with a wealth of filmography and an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in the legendary film The Love Story. It is curious that his daughter Tatum managed to outdo her father: she was awarded the "Oscar" for her work in the criminal comedy "The Paper Moon". The daughter was only 10, and the main role was played by Ryan himself. "Zero effect" is a rare case when Ben Stiller was assigned a role that does not require constant comic on the screen. One has only to remember the endless "Fockers", all "Nights in the Museum", "Duplex" and other comedies in which he participated. True, he was able to show what he is capable of as a director and a great artist in "Soldiers of failure." It was an acute satire on Hollywood, very much appreciated by the critics and loved by the public.

The premiere of the "Zero Effect" was held at the Cannes Film Festival in 1998, but did not produce much effect (sorry for the tautology). Although the idea itself was good, but it was apparently not possible to implement it.