The trick to Zero Effect

First of all, I love this movie. It is my all time favorite. And, you know what, I'm glad most people don't get it. I'd hate to see something depressing like Daryl Zero lunchboxes or something crappy like that. But, after having watched it about 20 times, I think I finally understand why it works so well. Hope this doesn't take the magic out for anyone. But the key, in my opinion is this: This movie takes the American novel/film detective genre and turns it upside down. Daryl Zero is no Micky Spillani by any stretch of the imagination. He's not even a Sherlock Holmes. In fact, he's just the opposite: he's nerdy, he's never kissed a girl (according to Arlo), he's not good at other things (like singing), he isn't confident around women, he can't even shoot a gun (at first), he doesn't wear a fidora or smoke cigarettes (preferes Tab and takes amphetamines), he's in poor shape, his "faithful sidekick" won't even write his memoirs and ends up leaving him, and (most tellingly) he doesn't even get the girl.

But this makes the film so beautiful and eloquent. The connection between Daryl and Gloria is so deep, so profound, so much more than the typical damsel in distress with a killer bod crap that Hollywood usually puts out that it's just awe inspiring. The client turns out to be the evil one, and the blackmailer turns out to be the honest one. The roles are reversed. And she's not a damsel in distress at all--she's the brilliant, elusive opponent, who turns out to be Zero's greatest friend and soul mate. And that last phone conversation between Gloria and Daryl is about the coolest, most romantic thing I've ever seen on film. Way better than a cliche-ridden, sloppy, overly dramatic, tongue battle that usually concludes most Hollywood productions. And it is satisfying. Very satistying.


Gloria: "You know, you could come with me."
Daryl: "Ah, a person can't escape their nature."
Gloria: "That's what I thought."
Daryl: "You are the best I've ever seen."
Gloria: "So are you."
Daryl: "I've never said the words before, to anyone."
Gloria: "You don't have to. I love you too, Daryl Zero." Click.