Thanks Greg. You always give something of value. I didn’t read your whole piece (maybe 3/4) because I was afraid there would be a spoiler. We’ll watch it tonight and I’ll read the rest tonight. Billserle.com.
Thank you for highlighting a film that's long been one of my favorites as well. Odd that, on hearing of Ryan's death, the movie popped in my head as well - and here you are now, extolling its virtues. I think one reason it never caught on is how understated the whole movie comes across. There's nothing flashy about the story, the production or the ensemble performances. It's a movie that requires a high degree of attention on the part of the viewer to follow and pick up on all its nuances and subtleties, which by definition limits mass appeal. Seen today, the movie's depiction of Zero's high tech setup comes across as quaint, making the film very much a period piece - but IMO, this does little to undercut the story and characters. If you give it the attention it deserves, it pays dividends and stays with you. It's available for streaming at a modest price, my S.O. has never seen it so I think we'll cue it up for viewing today.
Hollyweird is a strange place, as I have learned over 40 years. You can do everything absolutely perfectly and still fuck up. A friend of mine produced "Devil In A Blue Dress." A popular mystery novel from a popular author. Adapted perfectly from said popular mystery novel. Starring Denzel Washington and introducing the world to Don Cheadle in a performance that explodes off the screen. Well directed. Everybody I knew who saw it was a fan of the book and loved it (that doesn't always happen; in fact it seldom happens). And it sank like a stone the first week. I remember having lunch with my friend and he went over everything with the fine-tooth comb and there wasn't a decision about the project that he listed that we didn't both say from experience, "that was a good decision."
That's why William Goldman was right that the Three Rules of Hollywood are: Nobody. Knows. Anything. It's all a crapshoot. The current intergalactic widget-makers who declared that was not true if you made superhero movies are now learning that sorry, it is true (thank god in this case, may they all sink like stones to the bottom of the Marianas Trench!).
Goldman is awesome. There's another writer, I can't remember who offhand, who said: "There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are." Same principle applies, but worse.
Having had both my novels optioned for film, multiple times, I go with what I tell people who find old coins in their dead grandfather's drawer: "They are always worth less than what you hope."
Way too true. I had a successfull career here, with all the screenplays I wrote for movies I wanted to see getting sold and none getting made (I made the rent rewriting scripts that did get made, so they worked)
I think that quote comes from Oscar Wilde - if it didn't, it should have. Maybe Dorothy Parker, also.
Much as I like being directed to books -- the GoodReads' Books of the Year are a treasure trove -- I also love being directed to movies I have not seen. This is on my list to watch today.
My earliest memory of Ryan O'Neal was when he appeared on TV on "Peyton Place" back in the mid-1960s. Not that I remember him specifically because I would have only been 11 years old when the show went off the air, but my mom must have watched it religiously because I distinctly remember the opening credits and the announcer saying, "and Ryan O'Neal as Rodney Harrington." I would guess that it was the first nighttime soap opera that later brought us "Dallas," "Knot's Landing," and the one that *I* watched religiously, "Dynasty." Beyond that, I remember him in "Love Story," which I saw for the first time only ten or so years ago. It was a good film, but very much a product of the 1970s. And, of course, the marriage to Farrah Fawcett, who died the same day as Michael Jackson, but hardly anyone noticed, which is STILL a travesty. Back when I paid attention to "celebrity culture," I'd read several times that O'Neal was kind of an ass to Farrah and others in his life and dismissed him. Now I know that those kinds of stories were meant to sell magazines, and usually nothing more.
Huh. I had more to remember about Ryan O'Neal than I would have originally thought! Although peripheral to me, I guess he was one of those staples of my life -- just THERE all the time, and it was a bit shocking to hear he'd died. There are times I've felt that I would never die, and then people who have shared the same timestream as I do die, and it's hard to keep up that illusion. RIP.
ETA: Watched "Zero Effect." LOVED it! A buried treasure, for sure. I won't spoil anything, but the only little niggle I had was I felt like there was something missing between the last bus stop and the planetarium. It was like, BOOM!, now we're somewhere else! Bill Pullman is so underrated -- loved him in everything I've seen him in, especially the show, "The Sinner," and oh good LORD, he just played Alex Murdaugh in a Lifetime mini-series! Whelp, a guy's gotta eat, and I'll mock it here and then go find it! 😂
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Steve! I love it so much. I've seen it a bunch of times, but it's been a while. I have to watch it again soon. I love the part where he talks about following people and there he is in the restroom. So great!
(I know the jump you mean, and I agree)
"There aren't good guys and bad guys. There's just...a bunch of...guys."
Dec 10, 2023·edited Dec 10, 2023Liked by Greg Olear
Thanks for the comprehensive and compelling review of “Zero Effect,” Greg! Although a Ryan O’Neil fan, I had never heard of it. Now, I can’t wait to see it—and hopefully contribute toward establishing the film’s deserved cult following.
I loved Ryan O’Neal in Love Story and Paper Moon, but those were, for me, a lifetime ago. My wife, for some reason, doesn’t like movies that are very old, so my chances of seeing even those again, let alone an obscure one we never heard of, are slim. But, as always, anything you write about that enthusiastically sure makes me want to!
Thank you, Greg. Always good to hear recommendations from people I admire. Meanwhile, a note about the paywall. I, too, felt free is best, but today I signed up to pay (after having been a free subscriber) to Margaret Atwood because we share the AFib journey. She noted that she too resisted the paywall until she decided to use it as a way to collect funds for her favorite charities. Happy to report that my funds are going to save birds (and I am not worried about any charitable tax deduction).
I got this one a while back when you recommended it. It's only on DVD, not blu-ray, for those of you that care. It's a good one. Deserves another watch.
Will be watching this movie today on your recommendation, Greg. I have been watching Ryan O'Neal who plays on the TV series "Bones." One reason I like this show is because it captures views of Washington, D.C. as well as gives names to real local places around D.C. I have enjoyed watching O'Neal who plays Bones' ne'er-do-well father. He really was good at his craft IMO.
I can’t wait to watch this film. Always loved Ryan O’Neal since Love Story. Sad to hear of his passing.
This will be a film, I’ll check out bc of your riveting review. An appropriate way to celebrate the career of Mr. Ryan O’Neil...RIP
(my 70’s heartthrob). I have only seen him in Love Story and Paper Moon. Both good.
Thanks Greg. You always give something of value. I didn’t read your whole piece (maybe 3/4) because I was afraid there would be a spoiler. We’ll watch it tonight and I’ll read the rest tonight. Billserle.com.
Stellar film!
Right? Not just me!
Thank you for highlighting a film that's long been one of my favorites as well. Odd that, on hearing of Ryan's death, the movie popped in my head as well - and here you are now, extolling its virtues. I think one reason it never caught on is how understated the whole movie comes across. There's nothing flashy about the story, the production or the ensemble performances. It's a movie that requires a high degree of attention on the part of the viewer to follow and pick up on all its nuances and subtleties, which by definition limits mass appeal. Seen today, the movie's depiction of Zero's high tech setup comes across as quaint, making the film very much a period piece - but IMO, this does little to undercut the story and characters. If you give it the attention it deserves, it pays dividends and stays with you. It's available for streaming at a modest price, my S.O. has never seen it so I think we'll cue it up for viewing today.
What great taste you have!
These are good points. It is a subtle film, a quiet film even, and hard to categorize.
Well, there are the three strikes against it! :-)
Sorry, been there/done that. My favorite kind of movie to write and the reason why I now write successful nonfiction.
No explosions, kidnapped damsels, or car crashes. Can’t wait to stream it.
Another Sunday morning when I learn about something I knew nothing of Greg.
Merci!
I love detective movies and look forward to seeing this one. R.I.P. Ryan O’Neal 🌹
Hollyweird is a strange place, as I have learned over 40 years. You can do everything absolutely perfectly and still fuck up. A friend of mine produced "Devil In A Blue Dress." A popular mystery novel from a popular author. Adapted perfectly from said popular mystery novel. Starring Denzel Washington and introducing the world to Don Cheadle in a performance that explodes off the screen. Well directed. Everybody I knew who saw it was a fan of the book and loved it (that doesn't always happen; in fact it seldom happens). And it sank like a stone the first week. I remember having lunch with my friend and he went over everything with the fine-tooth comb and there wasn't a decision about the project that he listed that we didn't both say from experience, "that was a good decision."
That's why William Goldman was right that the Three Rules of Hollywood are: Nobody. Knows. Anything. It's all a crapshoot. The current intergalactic widget-makers who declared that was not true if you made superhero movies are now learning that sorry, it is true (thank god in this case, may they all sink like stones to the bottom of the Marianas Trench!).
Goldman is awesome. There's another writer, I can't remember who offhand, who said: "There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are." Same principle applies, but worse.
Having had both my novels optioned for film, multiple times, I go with what I tell people who find old coins in their dead grandfather's drawer: "They are always worth less than what you hope."
Way too true. I had a successfull career here, with all the screenplays I wrote for movies I wanted to see getting sold and none getting made (I made the rent rewriting scripts that did get made, so they worked)
I think that quote comes from Oscar Wilde - if it didn't, it should have. Maybe Dorothy Parker, also.
Available on Amazon Prime! https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Effect-Bill-Pullman/dp/B000VIH2BQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2WAN5HSVTEVK3&keywords=Zero+Effect&qid=1702226891&s=instant-video&sprefix=zero+effect%2Cinstant-video%2C93&sr=1-1
Much as I like being directed to books -- the GoodReads' Books of the Year are a treasure trove -- I also love being directed to movies I have not seen. This is on my list to watch today.
My earliest memory of Ryan O'Neal was when he appeared on TV on "Peyton Place" back in the mid-1960s. Not that I remember him specifically because I would have only been 11 years old when the show went off the air, but my mom must have watched it religiously because I distinctly remember the opening credits and the announcer saying, "and Ryan O'Neal as Rodney Harrington." I would guess that it was the first nighttime soap opera that later brought us "Dallas," "Knot's Landing," and the one that *I* watched religiously, "Dynasty." Beyond that, I remember him in "Love Story," which I saw for the first time only ten or so years ago. It was a good film, but very much a product of the 1970s. And, of course, the marriage to Farrah Fawcett, who died the same day as Michael Jackson, but hardly anyone noticed, which is STILL a travesty. Back when I paid attention to "celebrity culture," I'd read several times that O'Neal was kind of an ass to Farrah and others in his life and dismissed him. Now I know that those kinds of stories were meant to sell magazines, and usually nothing more.
Huh. I had more to remember about Ryan O'Neal than I would have originally thought! Although peripheral to me, I guess he was one of those staples of my life -- just THERE all the time, and it was a bit shocking to hear he'd died. There are times I've felt that I would never die, and then people who have shared the same timestream as I do die, and it's hard to keep up that illusion. RIP.
ETA: Watched "Zero Effect." LOVED it! A buried treasure, for sure. I won't spoil anything, but the only little niggle I had was I felt like there was something missing between the last bus stop and the planetarium. It was like, BOOM!, now we're somewhere else! Bill Pullman is so underrated -- loved him in everything I've seen him in, especially the show, "The Sinner," and oh good LORD, he just played Alex Murdaugh in a Lifetime mini-series! Whelp, a guy's gotta eat, and I'll mock it here and then go find it! 😂
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Steve! I love it so much. I've seen it a bunch of times, but it's been a while. I have to watch it again soon. I love the part where he talks about following people and there he is in the restroom. So great!
(I know the jump you mean, and I agree)
"There aren't good guys and bad guys. There's just...a bunch of...guys."
Thanks for the comprehensive and compelling review of “Zero Effect,” Greg! Although a Ryan O’Neil fan, I had never heard of it. Now, I can’t wait to see it—and hopefully contribute toward establishing the film’s deserved cult following.
Please let me know what you think!
Definitely will!
I loved Ryan O’Neal in Love Story and Paper Moon, but those were, for me, a lifetime ago. My wife, for some reason, doesn’t like movies that are very old, so my chances of seeing even those again, let alone an obscure one we never heard of, are slim. But, as always, anything you write about that enthusiastically sure makes me want to!
Oldies are often better. In more than a few ways…
1998 is old? Oh dear... ; )
Thank you, Greg. Always good to hear recommendations from people I admire. Meanwhile, a note about the paywall. I, too, felt free is best, but today I signed up to pay (after having been a free subscriber) to Margaret Atwood because we share the AFib journey. She noted that she too resisted the paywall until she decided to use it as a way to collect funds for her favorite charities. Happy to report that my funds are going to save birds (and I am not worried about any charitable tax deduction).
To be clear, I am so so SO grateful to my paid subscribers. It's a "tip jar" model. Most people don't use it.
Oh, I didn’t know there was such a thing. Is that the “buy me a coffee” language I’ve seen elsewhere? Always learning something new about Substack.
I got this one a while back when you recommended it. It's only on DVD, not blu-ray, for those of you that care. It's a good one. Deserves another watch.
I'm glad you liked it!
Will be watching this movie today on your recommendation, Greg. I have been watching Ryan O'Neal who plays on the TV series "Bones." One reason I like this show is because it captures views of Washington, D.C. as well as gives names to real local places around D.C. I have enjoyed watching O'Neal who plays Bones' ne'er-do-well father. He really was good at his craft IMO.
He's a HEAVY. That's the word I forgot to use. When he's there, you FEEL his presence. Would be interesting to see him on stage.
I’m writing because this is going on my (to watch) list. 🍸
Yay!
Haha!
Loved the flick. Thanks again for the nudge. Billserle.com
I'm so glad!