Before ‘There’s Something About Mary,’ Ben Stiller Starred in This Loose Sherlock Holmes Adaptation That’s Worth Another Look

Ben Stiller’s big-screen breakthrough came in 1998 with his starring role inThere’s Something About Mary, following years of bit parts and roles in independent films. Just a few months earlier, Stiller co-starred in Zero Effect, aJake Kasdanmystery film that should have found a larger audience. Stiller plays sidekick to a brilliant but troubled detective in this modern update of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Zero Effect received solid reviews—including a 3.5-star rave by Roger Ebert—but only made $2 million at the box office. This detective story, however, is worth another look.