This is a review of the now on DVD release of Smart People, starring Ellen Page, Thomas Hayden Church, Sarah Jessica Parker and Dennis Quaid.
Surprisingly funny, Smart People starring Ellen Page (formerly from Juno), Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Hayden Church and Dennis Quaid. Quaid a college professor, best known for being an asshole, is raising his two children alone, since his wife's untimely death. Quaid's adopted brother, played by Thomas Hayden Church is viewed by the family as a low life, with no purpose in life, other than to sponge off of his older brother and do the least amount of work possible to get by. When this estranged adopted brother shows up on the scene, he shakes things up a bit. Hanging out at the house and refusing to leave, once he learns that his older brother was in an accident and isn't allowed to drive for six months due to state law, of head injuries, Church makes himself available as a chauffeur, but also to fulfill his need of a place to stay. Quaid's daughter, played by Ellen Page is more than unhappy that she has to stop studying for the S.A.T's in order to go to the hospital to see her father and then have to put up with the uncle. Inconvenienced, but yet looking to have some fun, she pairs up with the uncle to smoke some pot, go to a bar, get drunk and develop a crush.
The introduction of Sarah Jessica Parker at the hospital, is the changing point for this movie. It was already established that the professor, Quaid, forgets all of his students, he doesn't care about them at all and he is only a college professor, because there's not much else to do when your so damn smart. While Quaid is in the hospital, his doctor, played by Parker, talks to him with attitude and he is unsure why. When she calls his house to talk to the wife, the daughter hangs up on her, only to have Parker call back and find out that the wife is dead and the daughter is just as rude as the father. Eventually, they find common ground and Parker and Quaid realize they have a crush on each other. Romance develops and the family falls apart. After some life changing events take place, every body finds their way back home again.
Always smart, always funny, this film is one of those sleeper hits we hear about. I find it very similar, but yet completely different to the other Pittsburgh, PA placed picture of Wonder Boys. The acting by all the characters is right on. You forget who they are in the real world and buy into their character's. You have affection for each character and even though, you love to hate and hate to love them all, they all make you want to get to know them. This great movie made up of all misfits in some way or another, is the best rent of the summer season.
