Zero Effect (1998)

This seems to be a take on Sherlock, where a man great at his job as an investigator has difficulty handling day-to-day interactions. He's got a Watson who acts as a personal secretary and go-between. But this Sherlock (Pullman) comes off more as a man suffering from arrested development and privilege while his Watson (Stiller) can barely mask his contempt for his boss.

The case itself is alright, but there's no punch or levity in the telling. It's all very muted and depressing and sleep-inducing.

C-