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| Cast: Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Haden Church, Ellen Page |
The Plot:
Lawrence Wetherhold is one of the most rude and unpleasant humans to walk the streets of Pittsburg. However, when a chance encounter has him run into an old student flame, Lawrence’s dull life begins to have a spark. That is, until his freeloading brother and his overachieving daughter decide to make his personal life their business. As a result, the weird and overly intelligent family goes into chaos mode as they attempt to unravel the true meaning to life and learn how to live with those around them. |
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The Movie:
Easily one of the best acted films of the year, Smart People ventures into the socially awkward lives of a family that is simply too smart for their own good.
Leading the pack is the duo of Dennis Quaid and Ellen Page, two actors who give shockingly great performances as Lawrence Wetherhold and his daughter, Vanessa. Individually, each actor transforms into their character and steals the show; however, the truly mesmerizing sights come when the pair shares the screen. While at times a little crowded, the two work flawlessly together, forming a strong bond as they sell their father-daughter relationship to utter perfection.
Not to be outdone, Academy Award nominated Thomas Hayden Church gives a unique and clever performance as Lawrence’s brother, Chuck. Though it is definitely a supporting role, Church rises to the occasion as he brings a sense of normalcy to the film.
And you can’t forget the always interesting Sarah Jessica Parker. Set to play Janet, the love interest to Lawrence, Parker is suppose to be an interesting character within the film; however, she is the sole actor who misses the mark. Instead, audience members are greeted with a bland and confused character as she sends mixed signals throughout the entire film.
While most of the attention is on the acting, I can’t help but appreciate the quirky and subtle script that encompasses this film. From its clever dialogue to its irresistible charm, Mark Poirier has created a winner in the enticing and addicting Wetherhold household. Unfortunately, while the dialogue was amazing, the story tended to hit some major hiccups along its route, creating a few unwanted stalls that sadly kept the film from reaching its full potential. |
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The Extras:
The Smartest People (16:31): This segment uses cast and crew interviews to venture into the characters that comprise the ‘smart’ people within the film. It is interesting and entertaining to say the least.
Not So Smart (2:05): This string of bloopers prove that even the smart people make mistakes. Funny if you are in the mood.
Deleted Scenes (9:51): Featuring a handful of scenes that didn’t make it into the final cut of the film, this deleted scenes bonus feature is a fun and entertaining watch.
Audio Commentary: Featuring the audio commentary of director Noam Murro and writer Mark Jude Poirier, this section reveals many reasons why certain things occurred on-screen. Though it will be interesting to some, I suggest that you just stick to the actual picture. |
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The Verdict:
While the film stars such heavyweights as Dennis Quaid, Ellen Page and Thomas Hayden Church, a less than impressive script prevents Smart People from reaching its true potential. Ignoring the cleverly titled but inadequate done bonus features that are part of this HD Blu-Ray disc, I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Sure it was slow, but it was also clever, unique and hilarious, and for that, I can’t help but recommend it! |
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