Holden Pike
11-19-01, 02:28 AM
NOVOCAINE (http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005JKE5.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg) is a new Noirsh dark comedy starring Steve Martin. Initially it does seem a bit conflicted at times whether it wants to be more of a straight Noir or a comic parody, but it really finds itself toward the end.
It begins with a pretty standard Noir setup, introducing our main character, Dr. Frank Sangster (Steve Martin), as a comfortably successful fella who seems to have it all, including his own thriving dental practice, and a main assisstant - the beautiful Jean Noble (Laura Dern), who is not only incredibly efficient, but also his fiance. Through voice-over Frank tells us that he's basically content with things exactly as they are - even if he does quietly pine for the south of France rather than sticking his fingers inside the mouths of suburbanites week in and week out. But basically, happy.
Then into this world enters a bit of seductive darkness (embodied by Helena Bonham Carter), and before long Frank's life is spiraling out of control with infidelity, theft and eventually even murder. All the while he tries to regain control and return to some sort of normalcy, but of course it's much too late for that.
The set-up for Novocaine was OK, but it seemed a little rushed, that the characters and motivations weren't developed very well in spots. In this kind of movie the actual crime stuff, evading detection by the authorities or bad guys, etc., can be forgiven and enjoyed, even when it is a bit unbelieveable - but only if the emotional reasons behind getting to those situations makes sense in the first place. Novocaine was teetering right on the edge for me, almost going too far, given what was established about the characters (especially Dr. Frank). But then this wonderful and rare thing happens...
As the movie's plot gets more complicated and convoluted, the emotional reasoning underneath actually becomes clearer. For me the movie went from coasting along at an average clip to burning to the finish line with a finale that makes the whole trip worthwile. The last third of Novocaine is the best part of the film, and so often the opposite happens: potentially fruitful premises linger and die before the film is even half over. This one actually gets stronger, building to a really satisfying conclusion.
Steve Martin is playing more than just comedic roles these days. He got to play the other side of this type of film in Mamet's The Spanish Prisoner, where he was the antagonist, not the protagonist. His supporting work in Joe Gould's Secret and Grand Canyon also helped establish Martin as somebody capable of things other than the kinds of films he became famous for. In Novocaine his natural charm helps the audience inside the misadventures of a guy screwing things up. And then once we're on that trip with him, he is quite capable of following through to the logical if unlikely conclusion.
The rest of the cast does solid work with their less encompassing assignments. Dern and Bonham Carter handle their sweet & sour roles easily (and amply), while Elias Koteas and Scott Caan define their characters well in limited but crucial screentime. And I won't spoil the little surprise, but a well-known actor makes an amusing uncredited cameo that interjects good light comedy in a tight spot of the plotting.
Not a great movie, but I sure liked it. As much as I enjoyed the Mametisms and strong cast of Heist, I'd recommend Novocaine a bit more, if for no other reason than the well-crafted and gratifying finish.
Grade: B
It begins with a pretty standard Noir setup, introducing our main character, Dr. Frank Sangster (Steve Martin), as a comfortably successful fella who seems to have it all, including his own thriving dental practice, and a main assisstant - the beautiful Jean Noble (Laura Dern), who is not only incredibly efficient, but also his fiance. Through voice-over Frank tells us that he's basically content with things exactly as they are - even if he does quietly pine for the south of France rather than sticking his fingers inside the mouths of suburbanites week in and week out. But basically, happy.
Then into this world enters a bit of seductive darkness (embodied by Helena Bonham Carter), and before long Frank's life is spiraling out of control with infidelity, theft and eventually even murder. All the while he tries to regain control and return to some sort of normalcy, but of course it's much too late for that.
The set-up for Novocaine was OK, but it seemed a little rushed, that the characters and motivations weren't developed very well in spots. In this kind of movie the actual crime stuff, evading detection by the authorities or bad guys, etc., can be forgiven and enjoyed, even when it is a bit unbelieveable - but only if the emotional reasons behind getting to those situations makes sense in the first place. Novocaine was teetering right on the edge for me, almost going too far, given what was established about the characters (especially Dr. Frank). But then this wonderful and rare thing happens...
As the movie's plot gets more complicated and convoluted, the emotional reasoning underneath actually becomes clearer. For me the movie went from coasting along at an average clip to burning to the finish line with a finale that makes the whole trip worthwile. The last third of Novocaine is the best part of the film, and so often the opposite happens: potentially fruitful premises linger and die before the film is even half over. This one actually gets stronger, building to a really satisfying conclusion.
Steve Martin is playing more than just comedic roles these days. He got to play the other side of this type of film in Mamet's The Spanish Prisoner, where he was the antagonist, not the protagonist. His supporting work in Joe Gould's Secret and Grand Canyon also helped establish Martin as somebody capable of things other than the kinds of films he became famous for. In Novocaine his natural charm helps the audience inside the misadventures of a guy screwing things up. And then once we're on that trip with him, he is quite capable of following through to the logical if unlikely conclusion.
The rest of the cast does solid work with their less encompassing assignments. Dern and Bonham Carter handle their sweet & sour roles easily (and amply), while Elias Koteas and Scott Caan define their characters well in limited but crucial screentime. And I won't spoil the little surprise, but a well-known actor makes an amusing uncredited cameo that interjects good light comedy in a tight spot of the plotting.
Not a great movie, but I sure liked it. As much as I enjoyed the Mametisms and strong cast of Heist, I'd recommend Novocaine a bit more, if for no other reason than the well-crafted and gratifying finish.
Grade: B