Smart People

Smart People, starring Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Hayden Church and Ellen Page, is the story of Lawrence Wetherhold, a widowed English professor who is truly miserable. He isn't well liked at work, can't get his book published, and seems a bit indifferent about the emotionally distant relationship he has with both of his children.  When a seizure causes Lawrence to fall, he ends up in the ER where he connects Dr. Janet Hartigan, a former student he doesn't remember.  With this new romance ahead of Lawrence, he tries to pull his life out of the unhappy funk brought on by his wife's death.

Overall?  This movie was okay.  On the surface, it's a movie about a middle aged man who is completely dissatisfied with life, but I think the underlying message is along the lines of "hey smart people! Get a life!".  I have a hunch that people will feel one of two ways about this movie.  The audience will connect with Quaid's character and hope that this sad man will come out of his miserable fog to find a happy ending.  That, or viewers will find themselves asking the same question I did; since when is "smart" synonymous  for "discontent"?  Like the title suggests, this movie is about smart people.  You have a doctor, a college professor, a very intelligent high school student and NONE of these people seem the slightest bit satisfied with life.  Not only are they personally unhappy, they don't want to see anyone else beat them to the happy punch.  As the saying goes, misery loves company.  

I also felt that the filmmaker's attempts at seeking sympathy for Lawrence was a little half-assed.  the whole movie he is criticized by the other characters because he neglects to inquire about the lives/thoughts/feelings of anyone.  But the moment he makes a feeble attempt at asking "how was your day?" or "what's wrong?" he is given grief if he isn't ignored completely. These scenarios would have you feeling sorry for the guy if you actually thought he cared what the answer to his question(s) was. 

I did, however, like the ending.  The movie attempts to end on a happy note by suggesting that everyone ended up happier than they were when we met them.  Although it's subtle and seems a bit forced, it does fit.  An "everything is sunshine and lollipops" ending would not have meshed with the movie's solemn tone. 

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Most awkward moment: At first, I thought the way Dennis Quaid's face tackled Sarah Jessica Parker was a bit weird.  Five minutes later, however, a drunk Ellen Page kisses Thomas Hayden Church (and may I remind you that Page is playing his 17 year old niece?)

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I wouldn't not recommend this movie.  If you're looking for a movie with smart dialogue that never threatens to make you laugh, then this may be for you.  However, if watching people be miserable isn't your thing, you may want to move on.