Smart People
December 19th, 2009 by Max
Watch “Smart People”. I’m probably not smart enough to pick up on the references and symbolism of “Smart People” but I know a good movie when I see it and this is it.
“Smart People” is a gentle, subtle small story of a regular American family. Set in Pittsburgh smart people introduces us to a family of mostly exceptional people, and then sets about proving that they are just like us. Along the way however it never gets preachy and it never clobbers you over the head.
You slowly come to the realization that these people, exceptional though they are, are just like you. Except maybe that you like them more.
Dennis Quaid, whom I thought over acted in “The Rookie” which I just saw on TV, really shone as a young-ish widower with an exceptionally intelligent, but achingly alone daughter, who is emotionally detached but dedicated to her dad. This child, winningly, charmingly, subtly played by Ellen Page is the caretaker of a disfunctional, if kind, typical American family of intellectuals – if such a bear exists.
Thomas Haden Church puts on a fine performance as Quaid’s adopted, neear-do-Well brother, who’s own intelligence falls in the plane of human understanding and kind of brings the family back to a grounded state. The movie begins sometime after the death of Lawrence Wetherhold’s (Quaid’s) wife. And Quaid is sufficiently understated and crumudgenly to be likable while still being so gruff.
Sarah Jessica Parker is a little low energy but still good as the one time student of professor Wetherhold, who is now a doctor, but who once had a crush on her professor.
Ellen Page is phenomenal, if someone so reserved can be a phenomenon. Everything is understated, held back, reserved in her performance, and it makes her bust out of the screen. As in Juno you can’t wait for Ellen Page’s next scene.
The movie moves gently, crisply and wittily through the character’s unveiling of their flaws and demons which are small and easily forgiven and their charms and successes which are substantial and which ultimately win our hearts and make us root for these people. This is a character driven movie which moves gently from mild accommodation of the general miserableness of people toward a place of acceptance and a hope for hope. Its a small film, gently made and smart.
Watch it. Love it. Its ok for the kids who will probably be bored with it because it is written for people older than 11 and there’s just enough (bum) nuditiy and sexual suggestiveness to keep it from a G rating anyway.
Its fine, its fun and its a little movie that you’ll be glad you watched.
5 of 5 Smiling Maxes for “Smart People”.
Director:
Noam Murro
Writer (WGA):
Mark Poirier (written by)
Release Date:
11 April 2008 (USA) more
Awards:
1 nomination
Cast Dennis Quaid … Lawrence Wetherhold
Sarah Jessica Parker … Janet Hartigan
Thomas Haden Church … Chuck Wetherhold
Ellen Page … Vanessa Wetherhold
Ashton Holmes … James Wetherhold
Christine Lahti … Nancy
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