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"I nearly lost the role in Apartment Zero because I was told that I was too attractive," said Firth, obviously embarrassed. "So I brought out my bag of tricks, which include smiling painfully and acting awkward in the film. Of course, I do worry that these mannerisms can be a crutch. They can really just be something to latch on to and lean on in a performance."

Summary:

Set in modern day Buenos Aires, the film centers around a relationship between two emotionally crippled roommates. Adrian LeDuc (Colin Firth) is a lonely sociopath who is forced to rent his insane mothers room due to poor ticket sales at his revival movie theater. Jack Carney (Hart Bochner), the new roommate, appears normal enough at first but it soon becomes apparent that he is hiding something. As their friendship develops, Adrian suppresses his suspicions that Jack may be the government mercenary turned serial killer who has been terrorizing the city. The other eccentric residents of the building begin to worry as Adrian shows increasing signs that his mothers insanity may be hereditary. The shocking climax of this twisted tale of deceit, perversion and murder reveals the darker side of the human psyche.

A much talked-about film at the Sundance United States Film Festival 1988, Apartment Zero has been labelled a Hitchcockian thriller with satirical overtones and homoerotic undertones. Set in present-day Buenos Aires, Colin plays a reclusive movie buff who operates a movie theatre specializing in good old movies. While his dying mother is in hospital, Adrian decide to get a roommate for his oversized and too expensive apartment. The film is shot in a claustrophobic apartment block in an eerie, murkily-lit Buenos Aires - rendered even more ominous by a brooding deep-toned music score. Apartment Zero centres around the close friendship which develops between Adrian and his charming lodger Jack, while a series of brutal murders spreads terror in the city.

(Movie)

"CINE YORK" in Buenos Aires, Argentina

is a theatre, cinema and a cultural place. It's open to the public since October 1904.

Photo's thanks to Diana O'Higgins

Click image to enlarge

Beneath: Colin in front of "Cine York" in "Apartment Zero"

Hart Bochner in front of an "Apartment Zero" poster

Memorable Quotes from "Apartment Zero": 

Jack Carney: [after breaking a dead woman's back] I should have been a chiropractor.

Adrian LeDuc: If that is a mask please take it off now, or keep it on forever.

Full credits here 

Runtime: 124 min

Country: UK / Argentina

Language: English / Spanish

Color: Color

Sound Mix: Dolby

Certification: USA:R

MPAA Rating: R (Restricted: under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian)

Also Known As (AKA): 

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Firth feels very intensely about a lot of things, and when he gets passionate - which is often,

he rattles on at a furious pace, barely stopping for breath:

"You can't live in Argentina and pretend you're living in Surrey! I was treated by some people as if I'd been a dangerous influence, but human right s are human rights, so I was outspoken and I really did upset a lot of people. Fuck it, I wasn't going to keep my mouth shut! Martin Donovan (the film's director) knew what was going on. This is actually what the film is about, the fact that the monster hasn't gone away. The military are not there, but the spirit is still there - and it's a monster."

Cast:

Somei information courtesy of The Internet Movie Database.

Tidbits by Rotten Tomatoes 

Also with thanks to the Colin Firth Career Timeline