Novocaine Movie Review 2001

Ambitious, occasionally successful blend of black comedy and film noir framed in toothy imagery. Frank (Martin) is a humdrum dentist with a thriving practice and perfect, if nutty, hygienist/fiancee (Dern). The normalcy is crushing and dread is palpable. Enter Susan (Carter), a seductive, if grungy, first-time patient with a need for painkillers. She appeals to Frank's latent desire for danger by allowing a cavity search of another kind right in the dentist's chair. From there, playing the classic noir role of the stooge, Frank makes a lot of really bad decisions. Story is pretty unbelievable, but the screwball quality keeps it afloat to a point. Ultimately the plot stumbles and dueling tones bump into each other. Martin has some funny moments but Carter is still in "Fight Club" mode and falls into caricature. Laughing gas would've been preferable to the numbness of the film's ending, but points given for originality.

Distribution

Artisan Entertainment, 2700 Colorado Ave., Ste. 200, Santa Monica, CA 90404, Phone: (310)449-9200, Fax: (310)255-3730, URL: http://www.artisanent.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 95 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Dental Mayhem, Femme Fatale, Contemporary Noir, Black Comedy, Incest

Screenplay

David Atkins

Cast

Steve Martin, Helena Bonham Carter, Laura Dern, Elias Koteas, Scott Caan, Keith David, Lynne Thigpen, Kevin Bacon

Cinematography

Vilko Filac

Director

David Atkins

Music

Steve Bartek

Other

David Obermeyer, Melody London, Craig Jackson, Denise Wingate, Sharon Seymour

Producer

Paul Mones, Daniel M. Rosenberg, Artisan Entertainment