Novocaine
(2001)
"Novocaine"
is no trip to the dentist chair. At least there they
give you drugs to dull the pain.
I'm kidding. It's not that bad.
You've got to admire Steve Martin for attempting to
break out of his mold. He's been successful at it at
times. David Mamet's "The Spanish Prisoner" offered
him a chance to really show his grit as an actor. He
was probably hoping for a similar chance with "Novocaine"
but it just doesn't gel.
The biggest problem with "Novocaine," other than the
rather listless direction, is his lack of chemistry
with Helena Bonham Carter. Martin plays a dentist who
supposedly risk his entire career, practice, relationship
and life for Carter's druggie street trash girl. We
never believe his character would do this. It's as if
Martin and Carter hate each other. You can see it in
their eyes when they act. No kiss or sexual act performed
between them is credible. And, of course, we never forget
it is Carter up on the screen. She is way out of her
league here. Echoing her character from "Fight Club,"
where she was highly believable, she seems as realistic
as Julia Roberts playing a hooker here. You know, not
the "Pretty Woman" era Roberts, the current incarnation.
Other actors in the film have more or less success.
Laura Dern acts through a set of false teeth that makes
her almost unrecognizable. She has fun here but totally
comes off false in her fifth reel revelations. Kevin
Bacon and Scott Caan also seem to have a real good time
going over the top with their characters. Caan makes
it work best. Bacon, meanwhile, playing an actor here
in a contrived bit of script writing funk that stinks
to high heaven, is forced into a scene where he discusses
"life as film as life" with Martin. In this dialogue,
they mention the "audience." It is all both actors can
do to not look at the camera and wink. It doesn't work.
And finally, although she is only in a minor role, it
is awesome to see Lynn Thigpen ("Where in the World
is Carmen Sandiago") on the big screen. She does good
work here.
Filmmaker David Atkins has real trouble handling black
comedy. The film seems far too crisp and in focus for
its storyline and themes. Sure, he is able to lasso
a plethora of big name stars to play here, some of them
having a real blast breaking out of the mold. But his
film looks like a DV feature or TV movie released theatrically.
It just doesn't look dark and edgy enough for the plot.
"Novocaine"
is a real mixed bag. Fans of Martin will be happy to
see him in a role that has minor comedic moments. And
generally this film showcases his acting abilities quite
well. It's just too bad he couldn't make us believe
all his character does here. He is forced to resort
to narration to say what he can not emote in acting
and the director cannot capture on film.
Note:
Also with Elias Koteas.
Theme by Danny Elfman.
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