Novocaine

Amazon.com

A screwball noir comedy that marks a promising directorial debut by first-timer David Atkins, Novocaine has a knack for the offbeat, beginning with the casting of Steve Martin as Frank, a dentist who traps himself in an escalating series of secrets and lies. Frank likens his dilemma to the insidious rot of tooth decay, personified by quirky drug addict Susan (Helena Bonham Carter), who enters his office, steals his narcotics, and draws him into an unexpected flirtation with disaster. Frank's brother (Elias Koteas) complicates matters almost as much as Susan's psycho brother (Scott Caan), but it's Frank's fiancée and hygienist (Laura Dern) who shotguns the movie to its outrageous and gruesomely off-putting conclusion. Erratic in tone and briefly amusing, Novocaine offers a few surprises (including an unbilled appearance by Kevin Bacon), but the movie never really finds its groove, and its curiously numbing effect makes the title just a bit too apropos. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

I really enjoyed this........2007-08-30

I hadn't seen this movie before a few weeks ago and I ordered the DVD. I love Steve Martin and I especially enjoy him in different roles (other than comedy). I loved Shopgirl, in this regard, and this movie was a different challenge for Mr. Martin as well.

Laura Dern was excellently cast, as well as Helena Bonham-Carter.

I love small-ensemble films and this was one. I'd recommend you see it if you haven't and you really like Steve Martin.

fairly entertaining.......2006-07-01

I wanted to see this movie to see if they were accurate in portraying a real dental office. It was a disturbing and interesting movie. They didn't have a whole lot of real dental scenes, but it was entertaining. A lot of parts were funny to me. I love Steve Martin, and I like how the story ended. The story took a lot of strange twists that I never would have expected. I would recommend this movie to others who work in a dental office and who are not easily offended.

As numbing as the title.......2006-02-10

Being a modest Steve Martin fan, I fairly liked the beginning of the movie, and the concept was not without possibility. However, everything derailed early on and became one head-scratcher after another. The biggest failure is that the character motivations don't make any sense, and Martin's character, supposedly a sharp dentist, makes asisine judgements one after the other. The writing is poor, and Martin's narrations sound scripted and hackneyed. The plot moves along fast, but in a mechanical and unbelievable way, with several placed concidences and bewildering logic. Spoiler warning: It becomes obvious far too early that his fiancee is in on it, as her reactions to his problems are laughable. The ending coup d'etat is not only sickening, but also moronic, as in the fairy tale ending between two mismatched people. This movie has more holes than swiss cheese, and lacks common sense and feeling as it races blindly ahead. Dern and Carter had little chance for a fine performance as the psychology underlying their characters was ill-defined and basically nonsensical. Steve was handcuffed by the script as well, but even so gave a
far less nuanced and steady performance as his fine dramatic
work in the excellent Spanish Prisoner. Unfortunately, this
movie is seriously disappointing. Oh, by the way, this movie
is in no sense a comedy either, as some hype has portrayed it.

A big disappointment.......2005-06-26

This movie stars Steve Martin, Helena Bonham Carter, and Laura Dern, three terrific actors. And in fact, this movie was very well acted.

But the story was just intolerable. Martin plays a gullible dentist drawn into a plot to steal his office narcotics & hijack his business. But Martin's character, Dr. Frank Sangster, makes one incredibly stupid decision after another, to the point of unbelievable absurdity.

For the most part, the story was dull. The plot was dumb, and the villains motive is never explained: why would someone develope such an extremely elaborate plot to steal a dental practice? And the final "twist" that other reviewers refer to was even more absurd. It was painful to watch this movie.

But the biggest mystery remains: how these wonderful actors got suckered into this movie?

Steve Martin Naked.......2005-02-16

That's what it's all about.

For those of you who were disappointed in "Cheaper By The Dozen" for its lack of nudity, this one's for you. In the special features, Steve talks about what drew him into this neat little project. He pointedly does not mention that it was a chance for him to appear naked (seemingly) with Helena, which is something not to pass up.

He's perfect as a dentist with a perfect life, which is at first slightly tilted and then upset completely. He manages the required transitions of character with brilliant understatement.

It's his finest movie since Parenthood, and deserves your attention. You probably won't want to watch it more than twice, though. It's a plot twist special, and besides, how many times can you watch graphic tooth extractions?

Average customer rating:

I really enjoyed this.
fairly entertaining
As numbing as the title
A big disappointment
Steve Martin Naked

Novocaine [Region 2]
Starring: Chelcie Ross , Steve Martin , Laura Dern , Lynne Thigpen , and Polly Noonan
Director: David Atkins (III)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( N ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00009B0QH

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

I really enjoyed this........2007-08-30

fairly entertaining.......2006-07-01

As numbing as the title.......2006-02-10

A big disappointment.......2005-06-26

Steve Martin Naked.......2005-02-16

Average customer rating:

Novocaine /L.A. Story
Starring: Chelcie Ross , Steve Martin , Laura Dern , Lynne Thigpen , and Polly Noonan
Director: David Atkins (III) , and Mick Jackson
Manufacturer: Live / Artisan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( N ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00006L91D
Release Date: 2002-10-22

Amazon.com

Novocaine
A screwball noir comedy that marks a promising directorial debut by first-timer David Atkins, Novocaine has a knack for the offbeat, beginning with the casting of Steve Martin as Frank, a dentist who traps himself in an escalating series of secrets and lies. Frank likens his dilemma to the insidious rot of tooth decay, personified by quirky drug addict Susan (Helena Bonham Carter), who enters his office, steals his narcotics, and draws him into an unexpected flirtation with disaster. Frank's brother (Elias Koteas) complicates matters almost as much as Susan's psycho brother (Scott Caan), but it's Frank's fiancée and hygienist (Laura Dern) who shotguns the movie to its outrageous and gruesomely off-putting conclusion. Erratic in tone and briefly amusing, Novocaine offers a few surprises (including an unbilled appearance by Kevin Bacon), but the movie never really finds its groove, and its curiously numbing effect makes the title just a bit too apropos. --Jeff Shannon

L.A. Story
Steve Martin wrote this film as a meditation on both love and Los Angeles (and then-wife Victoria Tennant). He plays a L.A. TV weatherman who finds himself conflicted about what to do with his life, both professionally and personally. As he works his way through a couple of relationships (including a very funny one with a frisky Sarah Jessica Parker, who talks him into colonic therapy), he discovers a L.A. freeway sign that gives him romantic advice. It helps him realize what he knows intuitively: that the British woman he is attracted to (Tennant) is the one he should pursue. A big cast (and lots of cameos) have fun with this witty (if slight) material and director Mick Jackson adds visual pizzazz. --Marshall Fine

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