Zero Effect

The role of Daryl Zero, a famously reclusive private detective cries out for the mad genius of Robin Williams or perhaps Kevin Kline. Instead, we get bland Bill Pullman, who is not up to the build-up his outrageous character receives from his long-suffering assistant (Ben Stiller, who effortlessly steals his scenes with deadpan panache). Daryl is, at once, "the greatest observer the world has ever known" (his sense of smell discerns that a woman is a paramedic), and in his private life, a pathetic flake with zero social skills. What has the makings of a misfit buddy comedy à la Holmes and Watson becomes hopelessly entangled in the mystery of some lost keys, blackmail, and Daryl's budding relationship with that paramedic--who is Daryl's kindred spirit...not to mention a suspect. In the end, it plays to, well, zero effect. Not recommended. (K. Lee Benson)