19. Zero Effect

Meet Daryl Zero. He's the world's greatest private detective -- a man with intense knowledge of human behavior and psychology. When left to his own designs, though, he's an incompetent bore, devoid of any and all traces of social mores and graces. The trick of Zero Effect is that it starts off a straight comedy about the methods of this eccentric character but ends up the study of the redemption of a lost soul who hides away from the world with only his demons to keep him company. In the middle, it's an engrossing detective yarn, complete with twists and turns that not only keep us on our toes regarding the plot but that also illuminate these people as they collide and meld amidst a decade-spanning mystery.

Jake Kasdan's directorial debut is a greatly appreciated return to the detective story and gives us one of the more memorable characters of the later half of the '90s. Bill Pullman seems always on the edge as Zero, and the romance that develops as he slowly lowers his guard to a female foil (played naturally by Kim Dickens) is simultaneously sweet and mature. Ben Stiller and Ryan O'Neal have great supporting roles as Zero's fed-up assistant and a client with much to hide, respectively. The continuing escapades of Daryl Zero would seemingly require a franchise, but it appears we will not be so lucky. (Mark Dujsik)