Although Smart People is a smart, well acted and an overall good film, I must say that I entered the theatre with high expectations "“ expectations, unfortunately not met.
Meet professor Lawrence Wetherhold, one of the most selfish, bitter and unpleasant humans to ever walk the Earth. Alienated from his son and overachieving daughter, Wetherhold has absolutely nothing going for him. But when he makes an unexpected trip to the hospital after falling off a fence, he meets Janet, a former student and current medical professional who has always had a crush on her freshman professor. When sparks fly, a relationship begins to form, one that will force the grumpy old man to put his life in perspective and decide between the girl and his constant beef with the world.
If there is one thing that I was expecting from this film, it was that it should be well acted. Featuring such Hollywood heavyweights as Dennis Quaid, Thomas Haden Church and the recent Academy Award nominee Ellen Page, Smart People had the dream cast, and to be honest, though my high expectations, each of them delivered on the promise that their name made.
Dennis Quaid, who took audiences on a thrill ride in January's Vantage Point, portrays professor/father/boyfriend Lawrence Wetherhold perfectly. His tone, mannerisms and interactions with the other cast members are dead-on as we are introduced to a man who thinks he has everything figured out. But what is truly mesmerizing about Wetherhold, is the transformation that he makes within the film. Putting his life in retrospect, Wetherhold is forced to realize his numbness to the world and the simple art of acceptance. He can't continue to hate the world and all the people in it, he has to move on, accept change and most importantly accept others, for he, just like them, has flaws.
Then there is Sarah Jessica Parker. Often stereotyped as the 'Carrie' in any film, Parker has been forced to take some roles that will broaden her resume and audience appeal. In this film, Parker plays a cold and often moody woman who still has a crush on her anal freshman professor that gave her a D on her final paper. Her character is supposed to be the light of the film, carefree and one that doesn't hold grudges. And while the dialogue and directing took care of that for the most part, I have to say that I was extremely disappointed with her overall performance. Her actions seemed emotionless, pointless and her interactions were close to being miserable. There is just something about how she carries a conversation and interacts with other cast members makes me wonder how she has reached the height of stardom that she has.
But luckily we get some great performances out of Academy Award nominees Thomas Haden Church (Sideways) and Ellen Page (Juno). Though neither cast member got an ample amount of screen time, both stole the show as Lawrence's good-for-nothing brother and overachieving daughter. Both performances were absolutely amazing as each represented the polar opposite of the other. Church, often seen as a 'sore thumb' in the film, lived his life from day to day. On the other side you have uptight Vanessa who couldn't imagine a life where everything isn't perfect. Though opposites, both roles mesh together, allowing the film to represent both sides of a personality, and show just how well opposites can attract.
But overall Smart People was decent, not spectacular but not miserable. And luckily Ellen Page and Thomas Haden Church rose to the occasion, saving the movie from complete obliteration. But in all seriousness, the film is good and definitely worth a peak!
