The Secret Lives of Dentists (2002)

Director:

Alan Rudolph

Writers (WGA):

Jane Smiley (novel)
Craig Lucas (screenplay)

Release Date:

22 July 2004 (Argentina)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

An introspective dentist's suspicions about his wife's infidelity stresses his mental well being and family life to the breaking point.

Plot Keywords:

Insecurity | Voice Over | Imaginary Friend | Angst | Flu

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Campbell Scott	...	David Hurst
Denis Leary	...	Slater
Robin Tunney	...	Laura
Peter Samuel	...	Larry
Hope Davis	...	Dana Hurst
Jon Patrick Walker	...	Mark
Gianna Beleno	...	Lizzie Hurst
Lydia Jordan	...	Stephanie Hurst
Cassidy Hinkle	...	Leah Hurst
Adele D'Man	...	Carol
Kathleen Kinhan	...	Virgin
Sara Lerch	...	Virgin
Lori Mirabal	...	Virgin
Mark Ethan	...	Conductor
Flora Martínez	...	Female Patient

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and language.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:R | Argentina:16 | Chile:14 | Brazil:14 | Canada:14A | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Westchester County, New York, USA

Company:

Holedigger Films

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: There is a boom mike visible in the upper right of the screen in the scene where the father comes to check on the mother while she's sick in the bedroom. As the camera zooms in, the mike disappears from the frame.

Quotes:

Slater: Now, you should really listen to her because she is on the ball.
Leah: Nobody asked you, ya big slimebucket!

Movie Connections:

References Fight Club (1999)

Soundtrack:

Fever

well acted and unique

There's a dark cloud that hangs over this film..an inevitabilty that we want not to believe,but deep in our hearts (as in Scott's)know is true. The troubles with facing this is excellently realized in this character drama about husband and wife dentists who share a practice. Their marriage is a conundrum in that they don't want to release what they have yet can not communicate the situation that is obviously lingering. She shows all the signs of a woman cheating and still the husband will not concede to it. He truly loves her and won't let go of that no matter how much this fact luminates over the marriage. Their three children are always around(and which I believe only enhances this film since most films only want the children to shadow the husband/wife relationship). This where Campbell Scott and Hope Davis truly excell..they provide real,thoughtful,and believable performances in the roles of the husband and wife. Where this movie really blooms is when Scott begins to dream up Denis Leary(almost a thought process that hangs on him like a leach)..a patient he did dental work on. Leary is the part of your thoughts that tells you(like the viewer probably feels also)what instincts normally convey. If his thoughts would have won over,Scott would have popped the sad question of wanting to know if his wife was having an affair at the near beginning of this film. But Scott tends to ignore what Leary(or thoughts..which ever you prefer)says and follows the undying devotion to his children(which Scott does with accuracy as if he really was the father to these kids)and..yep wife. The children,also,evolve and add to the story as they momentarily get both husband and wife to ignore the pains ripping them apart as flu enters into their lives. This film isn't one that will be liked by all. It's just so character driven and doesn't sustain to a normal plot heading. I liked it,thought it had a grasp on what it wanted to point out..that divorce isn't always the alternative when two people drift apart. ****1/2/*****