The Secret Lives of Dentists (2002)

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

Director:

Alan Rudolph

Writers:

Jane Smiley (novel), Craig Lucas (screenplay)

Stars:

Campbell Scott, Hope Davis, Denis Leary

3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 (as Flora Martinez)

Storyline

The movie centers on a dentist who has a strange dream that blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality.

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Plot Keywords:

dentist | dental | opera | alter ego | infidelity | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and language

Did You Know?

Goofs

There is a boom mic 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.

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Quotes

Slater: These children are monsters, they should be struck... can I hit them?
David Hurst: No.

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Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: The Cast of the Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

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Soundtracks

Lilac Wine
Written by J. Shelton
Performed by Jeff Buckley
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

As Good As The Type Can Be

First of all, the casting was excellent. This was a difficult script to cast. The story and the characters are what they are. There are two dentists (husband & wife): dentistry like accounting has its stereotypes, but these characters as acted are "type."

The film is about marriage, and the preservation of family in the face of imperfection, disappointment, disillusionment, and reality. Family is good, but difficult. Marriage can be good, but is always challenging.

This story is as long and ponderous as the trials of life. The narration is great, with originality - especially for the brand of story. The subject matter is depicted with monstrous understanding. Only someone who hasn't struggled with glints of success through most of the parts of family and marriage, might not find understanding.

Comedy is rarely so genuine, and the humanity of this work is pervasive. 'Lives of Dentists' is not going to change society, but it may help a few marriages to re-evaluate, and a few families to re-connect.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 August 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

La vida secreta de un dentista

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$121,769, 3 August 2003

Gross USA:

$3,707,346

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,764,286

Company Credits

Production Co:

Holedigger Films, Ready Made Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1