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Zero Effect

A wonderful, off-beat surprise. THE ZERO EFFECT takes one by
surprise about a third of the way through -- it actually has
a story and believable, original characters to guide us
through its enjoyably labyrinth plot. Debuting
writer-director Jake Kasdan (son of Lawrence, who gave us
THE BIG CHILL) shows an uncommon talent for vivifying
characters without overscaling them, for using the camera
very subjectively yet unobtrusively, and for modulating
performances that results in career-best work from Bill
Pullman and Ben Stiller. Pullman, in particular, is quite
outstanding, making his wacky, intelligent character
thoroughly believable and irresistably ingratiating. This
one's a real prize.