On our weekly trip to the cinema, we chose to see Smart People, although not really knowing much about it, thought we'd give it a go. After seeing Juno and enjoying it hugely, primarily due to the superb acting of Ellen Page, I thought this has to be just as good…surely. I had seen snippets of trailers and quite liked the look of it, the quirky use of Scrabble tiles in the poster made me smile…I mean they use Scrabble letters in the marketing, how bad could it be??? Well, that's a good question, because something was lacking, that I can't quite put my finger on.
As the film starts, we are introduced to Laurence Wetherfold, played by Dennis Quaid(Vantage Point) who is a university lecturer of literature, recent widower and father of two teenagers, each at different stages of education. As you might expect, his life has taken a downward spiral of depression and grief. He is also not the nicest man. His
arrogance and aloofness means that he never remembers past students and isn't probably the most the most dedicated of professors. Whilst after an accident, he bumps into another ex-student, whom he's forgotten about also: Janet, played here by Sarah Jessica Parker(Sex and the City). They end up starting a relationship, much to the dislike of his daughter: Vanessa, sublimely, as ever by Ellen Page (Juno), who has a somewhat 'unusual' relationship with her lazy uncle: Chuck, played by Thomas Haden Church (Sideways), who has moved in with them to become a chauffaur to his brother, as his prescribed medication prevents Laurence from driving. I won't go on to tell you what happens, or maybe I fell asleep and can't remember!
All the characters, with exception of Chuck, are conventionally clever or 'smart', hence the title. Laurence is a professor, Janet is a doctor, Vanessa is a young republican and SAT student and son: James played by Ashton Holmes (A History of Violence) is also at university. However, their lives follow a line of disarray. Unfortunately, I left the cinema with a let down feeling, because it felt like nothing really that interesting happened. I was waiting for some twist, or something profoundly clever to emerge, but it didn't. I felt there were moments in the film that were crying out for a plot bomb to drop, turning everything around, of characters turning out to not to be who we thought they were…I don't know…a game of scrabble, with someone getting 'equinox' on a triple word tile…or even a singing dinosaur to turn up…anything!
The acting was very good. My biggest surprise was Sarah Jessica Parker. I thought it would be hard to see her in any other role than Carrie from SATC, she was surprisingly unlike a 'Carrie' and played the role in an original way that made me forget about her previous roles completely. Dennis Quaid was good and played Laurence with bold deftability (hmm that sounds like a word in my head?). For me, the star of the film was Ellen Page. I don't know what it is about this young actor, but she has the ability to command the screen with her accurate portrayal of a young person, without ever over acting. It's her subtly and observation to the roles she plays, that really make her shine.
This is a very simple and somewhat look at 'regular' lives of some of American's studious (yes, there are one or two…joke!). Director Noam Murro (it appears this is his Directorial debut) faired well, but failed to set the screen alive with this sadly, forgettable film. Then again, that could have something to do with writer, Mark Poirier, who just didn't have enough going on to spark an interest. Shame.
A nice highlight for me, was that it turned out we were sitting behind a member of the cast (slightly surreal when she got up at the end, we muttered 'hang on, she was in that', funny) who had brought along all her friends to watch…needless to say they enjoyed it and smothered her with praise…as any respectful friends should in public.
I would recommend this film for it's acting, but don't go and see it expecting a great story, or the earth to move from sheer brilliance and wonderment of film making.
The film was released in the UK on 16th May. For more info: Imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0858479/ Official: http://www.smartpeople-themovie.com/
Production Year: 2002 - Drama - Director: Todd Haynes - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Viola Davis, James Rebhorn, Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
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