Driven by a clever script and fine performances, SMART PEOPLE is set in the land of academia, a place where both Lawrence and Vanessa have taken refuge and plunged themselves into as escape from the external world. In spite of their high IQs, both father and daughter are equally clueless when it comes to navigating relationships. This becomes obvious as Vanessa develops a line-blurring relationship with her uncle, and Lawrence stumbles in romancing his doctor. If Vanessa wants a shot at happiness and Lawrence wants to make things work in his love life, both will have to adopt new attitudes or risk further alienation. Starring Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ellen Page, and Thomas Hayden Church.
Much in the manner of Curtis Hanson's Wonder Boys, the very funny and bracingly intelligent Smart People concerns a college instructor meandering through life until unexpected developments force a cascade of personal changes. Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid), a recently widowed literature professor, is a numb and chilly intellectual who rebuffs his students, ignores his all-but-emancipated teen kids (Ashton Holmes and Juno's Ellen Page), and spurns cries for financial assistance from his ne'er-do-well but rather soulful adopted brother, Chuck (Thomas Haden Church). After an accident lands Lawrence in the hospital and deprives him of the right to drive, someone else falls into his bleak sphere: Janet (Sarah Jessica Parker), a physician and former student of Lawrence who remembers her disappointment in him as a teacher and role model. Against all logic, Janet and Lawrence become a romantic item, a choice for which neither of them is entirely prepared. Meanwhile, Chuck and Vanessa (Page) enter an awkward phase in their relationship as niece and uncle, just another sign that the Wetherhold clan has become too insular and self-referential. Screenwriter Mark Poirier's inspired and literate story sets up lots of chaos, attitude, and cross-conflict, then hangs back and lets the characters verbally spar, much to our great amusement. What's happening, however, are deep changes in relationships and destinies that Lawrence and the others naturally resist, until they can't. Director Noam Murro knows one of his most important contributions to the film is to stay out of the characters' way and provide Poirier's barbed humor a supportive setting. Quaid is outstanding as the pivotal figure in this tale, a man who looks creaky and washed up beyond his years, but who is not entirely past redemption. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Lack of Emotional Connection:
Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid) is an English professor at Carnegie Mellon University. His aura of superiority keeps colleagues at a distance, squashing any possibility of relationships other than professional. He customarily parks his car in the faculty lot so that it occupies two spots. He loves his subject, but never really connects with his students, whose names and faces he seldom remembers.
Wetherhold's wife has passed away. His son, James (Ashton Holmes), although a student at Carnegie... more info
Excellent Little Movie:
Smart People was a wonderful surprise. Great acting and great writing. Thomas Haden Church is amazing as Chuck, and his relationship with Ellen Page's character Vanessa is both hilarious and touching--not to mention utterly original. A great change of pace for Dennis Quaid, too. First time I've seen a grouchy English professor portrayed so realistically. I liked how this film was both intimate and specific but also universal in its themes. Well done. A gander at some of the major reviews (New Times, LA... more info
Great movie!:
THe movie is pretty good.
Fast delivery and that was the best price I could find.
Definitely worth it!
Smart People - Blu-ray Info:
Version: U.S.A / Region-A
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
MPEG-4 AVC BD-50 / High Profile 4.1
Running time: 1:34:51
Movie size: 24,03 GB
Disc size: 27,92 GB
Average video bit rate: 24.05 Mbps
Number of chapters: 16 LPCM Audio English 6912 kbps 5.1 / 48kHz / 24-bit / 6912kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 640 kbps 5.1 / 48kHz / 640kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48kHz / 192kbps Subtitles; English SDH / French / Spanish #Audio commentary... more info
