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'Smart People' is the darkly comic story of Lawrence Wetherhold, a widowed and unhappy English professor, who has alienated his son and turned his daughter into an overachieving, friendless teen. He falls for Janet, one of his former students, while at the same time his ne'er-do-well brother shows up at his door unexpectedly, triggering a series of comic crises and eventually growth in the family as they learn to reconnect.
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Rated:
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[ M ]
Moderate coarse language and sexual references
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Cinema release:
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24 Apr 2008
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Director:
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Noam Murro
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Running time:
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95 mins
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Stars:
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Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Haden Church, Ellen Page, Ashton Holmes
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Links:
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Official Site
IMDb
Rotten Tomatoes
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What we say
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Smart People
When an academic falls for a doctor it becomes obvious that all the education in the world can't replace human sentiment, making Smart People a romantic comedy with a difference.
Professor Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid) is a jaded man - he's written a book no one wants to publish, his adopted brother has moved in and he is coddled by his daughter, all while he clings to the memory of his dead wife. After a misguided attempt to retrieve his car from the impound, he winds up in hospital in the care of a former student (Sarah Jessica Parker). An awkward and uncomfortable romance begins between them, much to his daughter's horror.
This type of film can tend to drag but Smart People moves along at a refreshingly respectable pace, with enough humour to make sure that there are few flat moments that leave you wanting.
The film is very well cast. Quaid plays Lawrence to perfection, carrying the weight of the world on his face and his waistline, the very portrait of a man who is at his wit's end. Parker's character comes off quite needy as the love interest, a perception no doubt heightened by Lawrence's shortcomings.
Rounding out the main players are Thomas Hayden Church, who inhabits familiar skin as Lawrence's adopted brother, and Ellen Page as the daughter focused on her education and father at the expense of her own life. Page is starting to run the risk of typecasting, bringing the same wisecracking persona to the role as she used to light up Juno, but still to good effect.
With all of this going for it, and a great soundtrack featuring Nuno Bettencourt and the Baby Animals, Smart People a great little package.
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Find more info on Smart People with Bing Search
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What you say
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Add a review
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What you say
Dreary
 
Sorry but this film is REALLY dull. So predictable, and boring. Dennis Quaid is repulsive, there is no way SJP would ever fall for such a pompous character. The adopted brother is fab, only bit of light relief in the whole tiresome film.
Don't go see it, really don't waste your time. Sure everyone tried hard and meant well but really, it's dull.
Bored
Adelaide, SA
20 May 2008
"utterly boring"
I was so disappointed I was expecting that with a cast of Sarah Jessica Parker and the chick from 'Juno' it would be worth seeing.
Thank god I got these tickets for free otherwise i would have been tempted for a REFUND. There was no story line, no great moments, its basically about a doctor (SJP) who falls for a a dude twice her age and watching them kiss onscreen made me feel quite ill.
One of the worst films I've ever seen hands down.
Evangelia
Surfers Paradise, QLD
6 May 2008
A Let Down
I agree that this movie sucked. I think the movie was made out to be better than it really was. The supporting cast did a much better job than the main actors and if it wasnt for them i probably would have walked out. Sadly, the movie was dull and boring.
There was so much potential for this film and sadly it didn't meet my expectations!
Sorry!!
Han =)
Hannah
Sydney, NSW
1 May 2008
disappointed
When i saw the line up for this movie I thought to myself, there is not way that it could be bad.
However, I have to say that I found the movie lacked a certain something. The story line was pretty average and there was no pace it just plodded along.
The actors played their roles as good as they possibly could but they could only work with what they were given- an average script.
I walked out of the theatre going what? I like arty and dark films but this was just there. It wasnt that bad, it wasnt that good.
I am indifferent.
indifferent
Newcastle, NSW
28 Apr 2008
Bored
Despite the rave reviews given to this movie, and the great casting, I found it one of the most boring and lack lustre movies that I've seen for such a long time.
I understand they have tried to make yet another "intelligent" movie but please, should you ever need something to stop your insomnia this is the movie to watch. The acting was dull in this one, including Dennis Quaid and Sarah Jessica Parker. What were the writers thinking at the time the script was produced?
[spoilers cut]
Bored
Sydney, NSW
28 Apr 2008
A 'Brown' Movie
It is 'brown' because it is depressing. The grouchiness is very irritating and lasts for the whole movie. Even the people are wearing dull brown clothes. The only bright spot is the uncle who at least wears a red sleep suit to bed.
The daughter is a smart-mouthed pain-in-the-neckpain and what the American's would call 'lippy'. How on earth Sarah Jessica Parker would be able to work as an ER doctor with her hair covering her face is beyong me. She wouldn't be able to see what she was doing and the hair would be very unhygenic.
My apologies to the mother of the producer. We can't all like the same thing, but the one thing in its favour is that there is no violence.
Muriel Taylor
Brisbane, QLD
27 Apr 2008
good
I thought that it was a great movie. this appealed to me and my family of 5. it was good and the actors are supurb. thank you for making this movie it was the first good movie i have seen since july 21st last year.
Bryen
Perth, WA
25 Apr 2008
great movie
Saw the movie almost a year ago directors copy. I loved it its very witty and most entertaining. just a little trivia this movie is produced by an Australian girl, Bruna Papandrea who in 2000 produced Better Than Sex.
Me I'm her very proud Mother
Anonymous
SA
22 Apr 2008
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