Posted: 11/18/2001

Novocaine

(2001)

by E.T. Robbins

Will Novocaine dull the pain from a summer of disappointing films?

What’s the worse thing that can happen to a man? Losing his teeth according to Dr. Frank Sangster in the flick Novocaine. After all, he should know—he’s a dentist.

Played by the versatile Steve Martin, Dr. Frank Sangster appears to have it all—a thriving practice and a beautiful, devoted fiancée, Jean Noble (Laura Dern). That is until Susan Ivey (Helena Bonham Carter) a.k.a. patient-from-hell shows up in his dentist’s chair. Over-sexed and strung out, Susan tries to seduce the unassuming dentist in order to support her drug habit. And if that doesn’t work, Susan is not at all above stealing or altering prescriptions. Add to the mix Frank’s parasitic brother, Harlan (Elias Koteas) and Susan’s psychotic sibling, Duane Ivey (Scott Caan) and you have the perfect combination for chaos in Frank’s otherwise predictable life. However, will Frank choose to correct the catastrophic events that ensue or will he embrace a wild, passionate side within himself? The film keeps you guessing.

The strong cast complements director David Atkins’ (III) entertaining script. Funnyman Steve Martin once again proves that there’s more to him than The Jerk. An accomplished writer, screenwriter, and playwright, Martin has displayed his depth as an actor in many recent vehicles including David Mamet’s The Spanish Prisoner. Novocaine is no different and quite a departure from the Steve Martin we saw in his infamous role as a crazed dentist in Little Shop of Horrors.

It is refreshing to see Helena Bonham Carter out of ape suits and corsets; she is so often cast, and rightfully so, in period pieces like The Wings of the Dove. Dark and brooding but oozing with sensuality, she successfully seduces Frank Sangster as well as the audience. Laura Dern is as versatile as they come; whether she’s slinging dino-dung, wooing Ellen DeGeneres out of the closet, or displaying a Type A personality to its extreme in Novocaine—she does it all with equal aplomb.

An unaccredited cameo by Kevin Bacon is a scene-stealer. Scott Caan (Boiler Room, Gone In Sixty Seconds) doesn’t need to rely on his legendary father’s name; he is a fine actor in his own right. His forthcoming role in Ocean’s 11 will likely catapult him to the front of the hot young actors line.

Novocaine is a film that goes back to the basics—a well-written script, fabulous acting, and unpredictable twists and turns—elements that are tried and true, but never tired or boring. After a disappointing summer of big screen special effects with little soul, Novocaine may be one of the first indicators of a fall and winter worth looking forward to.

E.T. Robbins is a freelance writer living in Boston, where she worked for a time at a local newspaper and at a local radio station.

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