Smart People (2008)

Probably a movie to see before it is completely out of theatres. Smart People grew on me the more I thought about it; as it seems to be one of the only films that I have seen this year with substance. I have always tried to avoid Dennis Quaid movies. It has been a life long effort, but he works in this one.

Truth be told, I only saw this movie because it has Juno’s Ellen Page in it. She’s great! The scene that introduces her is completely Juno. It is as if the film makers are reminding the audience where they know this girl from.

The movie is billed as an old crusty academic brought back to life. In fact, the week it opened the week as the The Visitor opened, which is a movie that is billed the same way. Smart People is more than that.

What I found refreshing were two things, despite Ms. Page. First is that generally smart people were the subjects of the film; in an American culture that praises stupidity and dumb luck. Like in any movie, it starts with conflict. An un-smart adopted brother comes to live with the family. Unlike most movies, he is not hero; the family is not saved by his stupidity. Their smartness is not killing them and they need to lighten up, which can only be accomplished by a fun loving hedonist. Although, the brother is a changing force, he neither solves all their problems nor is all their problems solved by the end.

The second thing that was refreshing is that it was a good family drama. It was one without a political agenda, and the characters dealt with the pettiness of everyday life.

The worst part of the movie, was the Page character comes on to her adopted uncle which was a little sickening, unfortunately, he doesn’t reciprocate. Again, there was the old woman playing unconvincing a younger woman. Sarah Jessica Parker, SJP, plays woman who is suppose to be about 28 years old, when SJP looks very much her age of 43 yrs. old. She is a good choice as a romantic interest for crusty old Quaid, because they look close enough in age.

Smart People has no real center of drama. Instead, it is series of drama’s big and small. Everyone in the family has a problem and is insensitive to the others problems. Their value is overlooked by each other, and nothing gets fully resolved; but somehow everyone soldiers on, and it is that which makes the movie enjoyable. When it ends the view is left wanting more. You feel like want the story to continue, because it makes so much progress in its own way and you care about the characters. Caring about the character is something which is a bit rare so far in this movie year. So, I highly recommend this one.