Zero Effect

TV Movie
2002

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

David Julian Hirsh in Zero Effect (2002)

Based on Zero Effect (1998), this quirky unsold pilot for NBC follows the first adventure of eccentric genius private detective Daryl Zero and his lawyer sidekick Steve Arlo called The Case ... Read allBased on Zero Effect (1998), this quirky unsold pilot for NBC follows the first adventure of eccentric genius private detective Daryl Zero and his lawyer sidekick Steve Arlo called The Case of a Billionaire Pervert with a Parking Problem.Based on Zero Effect (1998), this quirky unsold pilot for NBC follows the first adventure of eccentric genius private detective Daryl Zero and his lawyer sidekick Steve Arlo called The Case of a Billionaire Pervert with a Parking Problem.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
This television pilot was based upon the quirky 1998 detective film of the same name (Zero Effect (1998)). Ultimately, NBC chose not to pick up this series.

Connections
Follows Zero Effect (1998)

Soundtracks
Alibi
Written and Performed by Elvis Costello
[briefly plays in the underground car park scene and during end credits]

User reviews1

Review

Featured review

4/10

not the equal of the film

An OK mystery. Parts of the instrumental score from the film are used here and there.

Pacing a tad sluggish; at about 39 minutes it definitely could have come in at under a half hour and still have room for commercials. Curiously, one external reviewer found the *film* too slow and this pilot to be the better of the two!

I like Alan Cummings in some things - and as host of PBS Mystery! - but doesn't work for Daryl Zero. I don't think it's just that Bill Pullman embodied the character perfectly, but that Cummings just isn't right somehow. It didn't help that the script isn't at the level as the film either. David Julian Hirsh doesn't have a lot to do as Jeff Winslow, the rough equivalent of the film's Steve Arlo (Ben Stiller).

Still, as a huge fan of the movie, I'm glad to have had a chance to see the attempt at adapting it for television.