Novocaine (2001)

While labeled as a comedy "Novocaine" is not your typical Steve Martin comedy. And while there are elements of comedy throughout the movie this was actually more of a crime mystery. And it was actually a quite nice change of pace for Steve Martin.The movie is about Frank Sangster, a dentist whose life is rosy red and dandy. When he, against his better judgment, prescribes Demetol to an unusual client, he suddenly finds himself under suspicion and murder. One thing leads to the other and Franks is well in over his head.The storyline was actually quite good and well thought through, keeping the audience guessing at what is going on. Director David Atkins actually managed to put together a very entertaining movie.One of the things that really lifted up this movie was the impressive cast, which included Steve Martin, Laura Dern, Elias Koteas and of course Helena Bonham Carter. There is also two great cameos by Kevin Bacon and Keith David."Novocaine" is a unique Steve Martin movie that should definitely be seen if you enjoy Steve Martin movies.

A very, very fun little film. It's got a pretty simple noir story but it executes it so flawlessly. It's pretty quick paced, so you never lose interest, but it isn't quick enough to where it loses the audience. I've always enjoyed Steve Martin's comedic talents, but it was great to see him in a much more mellow role. Helena Bonham Carter was absolutely amazing, as always. It's pretty hard to make me fall in love with a drug addict, but she did exactly that. Easily the most, well only, adorable drug addict I've ever seen. Laura Dern is, of course, also great. In what I've come to expect from her, she becomes so immersed into her character that you don't even realize she's acting. Elias Koteas was very good as well. I also really loved the twist. It had a great, mysterious build up to it throughout the film, and was completely unpredictable. One of the rare times that I was genuinely shocked by a twist in a mystery. But, for some odd reason, they felt the need to completely spoon-feed you how everything happened...about 15 minutes after you know everything that happened. My only other complaint were the very gimmicky x-ray shots used throughout. They felt extremely unnecessary and really drew me out of the film. Other than those two things though, I really loved it. Just remarkably fun and easy to watch.

The DVD cover shows Steve Martin just as he was in the "Little Shop of Horrors" but there is nothing funny or original in this movie. Its just a no-laughs "action" movie. The movie is hard to believe as we watch Steve fall madly in love with a pathetic, homely drug addict and Steve makes one self-incriminating move after another. The tangled web he weaves is so contrived. And his moves are so unintelligent. Like it doesn't take any brains to get a dentist license. The ending is just bad-Hollywood and has little credibility. Better to watch commercials on TV. Laura Dern is somewhat watchable though. No wonder this movie was not advertised.

Not much else to say. Carter is miscast and totally unbelievable as a "skank" drug addict with whom Martin falls in love. There is absolutely no chemistry between them. The rest of the movie is similarly misguided and empty-headed. Dern and Koteas basically sleep-walk through their roles (except for an over-the-top outburst by Dern at the climax of the movie.) I was quite surprised to discover that there is a "Special Edition" of the DVD, since the plain, old movie does not seem worth making into anything special. As I feared, the additional material on the DVD (including the deleted scenes) adds nothing to your enjoyment of the film. Not funny and definitely not worth renting. Go rent a real film noir instead.