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SMART PEOPLE

With Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ellen Page, Thomas Haden Church Ashton Holmes, Christine Lahti, Camille Mana

Written by Mark Poirier
Directed by Noam Murro

A maladjusted college professor is very much out of touch with his reality, especially after the death of his wife (clinging to things like her clothing). His son is stuck between him and his bright but equally odd daughter (who has pretty much taken the mother's place in the home).
After a seizure forces him to re-look his self-centered life, especially when meeting the attractive doctor (and ex-student) who took care of him, life doesn't exactly click right into place. His in-limbo estranged step-brother arrives, but in stead of further disrupting their lives, he actually ends up giving it a new, but not less odd perspective.
What makes this difficult to watch is the annoying low energy personalities with their grating dysfunctional characteristics - not funny, just irritating, making you feel “why the hell am I forced to glimpse into the insignificant lives of these idiots (no matter how smart they may be)?”
With the doctor trying to prove a point (he didn't remember her from his classes), you also ask the question why she would push to connect with this unpleasant asshole. Her compassionate humanity or her bored ignorance?
While making impressive turns in Hard Candy and Juno, Ellen Page's style has now run its course for me - the “intelligent, monotonous, acerbic old soul laden with irony” act is stale and no longer cool.

While from the producers of Sideways, I suggest you rather watch that one if you missed it, as it is a far more enriching viewing experience.

2 / C
- Paul Blom


0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B - C

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6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temp.
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice

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