Smart People (2008)R
Running Time: 95 minutes
USA
I love double entendres...especially when used skillfully to make your mind think in ways that it probably wouldn't otherwise. This film is obviously about some of the smartest idiots on the planet...brilliant in some ways, socially retarded in others. Seems to me that in life there are certain trade offs when it comes to talents and abilities, something that Noam Murro explores through these complex characters that were created to demonstrate just how difficult it is to maintain "healthy" relationships when crippled emotionally.
Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid) is the the widower father of two children and a professor at Carnegie Mellow. Self absorbed, arrogant and prideful, he can't even remember current student's names, let alone former one's. After a fall/seizure, he ends up in the emergency room as the patient of a former student and, painfully at times, a romantic friendship ensues. During all of this, Lawerence's adopted brother Chuck (Thomas Hayden Church) shows up for a handout and a place to stay and begins to stir the proverbial pot.This movie was fairly well done. Strong performances by Quaid, Church, Ellen Page and Sarah Jessica Parker keep the story moving with comedic moments and an occassional heart string pull. It's rated R for language, some sexuality and drug use, some involving teens (I totally sound like a real movie reviewer! I'm proud of myself!). I was well entertained and would recommend it to anyone in the mood for a quirky, romantic comedy...but I would definitely suggest seeing Running With Scissors, if you already haven't. Smart People felt like a small step down from RWS...albeit both are worth seeing. Enjoy!
1 comment:
i liked it. and apparently i've seen RWS, but i don't remember much of it (which means i didn't really like it). maybe i need to try it again. i think i like ellen paige (as an actress).
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