Jake Kasdan makes an impressive writing and directing debut with this clever romantic, crime story, starring Bill Pullman, Ben Stiller, Kim Dickebs, and Ryan O'Neal. Pullman gives the performance of his career as eccentric private investigator, who gets too involved in a case. Stiller is terrific as his assistant, who is considering retiring.

Zero Effect is exciting because it's unpredictable and very involving. Pullman shows a great deal of range, and he's a big reason this film is so effective. Zero Effect is full of snappy dialogue, and it's a quirky delight worth watching.

It's not surprising since Jake Kasdan is the son of writer-director Lawrence Kasdan, who gave us such winners as The Big Chill, The Accidental Tourist, and Grand Canyon. He also wrote a little picture called Raiders of the Lost Ark. I guess talent runs in the family.