Novocaine (2001)

Director:

David Atkins

Writers (WGA):

Paul Felopulos (story) &
David Atkins (story) ...

Release Date:

23 November 2001 (Italy)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Crime Is Not Only Done By Criminals.

Plot:

A dentist finds himself a murder suspect after a sexy patient seduces him into prescribing her drugs.

Plot Keywords:

Dentist | Murder | Implied Incest | Drugged Brother | Blood Looking Paint

Cast

Chelcie Ross	...	Mike
Steve Martin	...	Frank Sangster
Laura Dern	...	Jean Noble
Lynne Thigpen	...	Pat
Polly Noonan	...	Sally
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Susan
JoBe Cerny	...	Pharmacist Wayne Ponze
Elias Koteas	...	Harlan Sangster
Yasen Peyankov	...	'Sunshine Lounge' Bartender
Scott Caan	...	Duane
Teri Cotruzzola	...	Attractive Complaining Patient
Lucina Paquet	...	Mrs. Langston
Preston Maybank	...	Gelding
Sally Kao	...	Chinese Wife
Quincy Wong	...	Chinese Husband

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, sexuality, language and drug content.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:M18 (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG (theatrical release) | Australia:M (TV rating) | Iceland:16 | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Peru:14 | Spain:13 | UK:15 | USA:R (MPAA #37950) | Canada:AA (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Cedarburg, Wisconsin, USA

Company:

Artisan Entertainment

Trivia:

Steve Martin and Scott Caan did not get along during filming due to Caan's reckless behavior toward a stunt person in a scene in which his character smashes a beer bottle over the head of a man in a bar.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Frank is pulling his brother's teeth, you can see the tooth in the pliers before he's fully dislodged it.

Quotes:

Frank: What's the drift? You roll into town. You line up a few dentists or do you hit doctors too?
Susan Ivey: Dentists are easier. They're dumber. No offense.

Movie Connections:

References Double Indemnity (1944)

Soundtrack:

The Money Shot

Steve Martin Surrounded by Brilliance

I would never have seen Novocaine had it not been for my love of Steve Martin. But what amazed me in this film were the genius performances by the other actors: a terrific character turn for Laura Dern (didn't mean to rhyme). The always-charming Helena Bonham-Carter playing a role reminiscent of (but NOT the same as) her Fight Club character. Elias Koteas' quirky, stupid take as Steve Martin's younger brother. Kevin Bacon making a cameo in one of the only roles I've EVER liked him in.

But most of all, Laura Dern. This woman can act. She absolutely stole the show. A character who seems at once timid and sweet, then sends me spinning with her karate fanaticism. I will not tell you anymore about her performance (of which there is MUCH more to tell), because you need to discover this film for yourself.

The filming is an absolute masterpiece, as well as the writing, both done by David Atkins. The music is a wonderfully stylized score by Danny Elfman, calling forth 'film noir' memories. And there couldn't have been a more thrilling cast to watch on screen.

Novocaine is a suspense thriller, as well as an extremely funny movie. See it for Steve Martin, though you won't be watching him for long.