“Smart People,” is an American independent drama with a staff of actors who have managed to unleash their potential in independent productions rather than mainstream Hollywood films such as Thomas Haden Church, Ellen Page and Ashton Holmes. His subject matter and problematic characters, which focus on the theme of the dysfunctional family, reinforce the film’s typical American independence.
On the other hand, it is possible to argue that “Smart People”, which focuses on the ridiculous miscommunication of the characters with each other and their severely clumsy personal development, is an extraordinary romantic comedy with a strong emotional aspect.
“Smart People,” which is one of the cornerstones of the mainstream Hollywood cinema, successfully blends the introverted mood of the American independents with the optimistic character of the romantic comedy genre and deeply examines every subject it focuses on, is undoubtedly a well written and successfully directed intimate film. Directed by Noam Murro, who has turned into a strong production thanks to the performances of talented actors who are dedicated to their roles, the most important feature of the film is that it looks at the subjects and eccentric characters of the film world from the imaginary reality of the world, not from life.
In “Smart People”, Dennis Quaid plays a middle-aged academician who has lost his enthusiasm, interest and joy in his profession. Quaid, who brings his character to life, from walking, facial expressions, speech to body language, makes Professor Lawrence Wetherhold a part of daily life. The master actor, who successfully assimilates the clever character analyzes of the screenwriter Mark Poirier and puts these analyzes with all his courage, accomplishes an unforgettable performance that will connect the audience especially in academic life to him.
However, Mark Poirier’s screenplay, which elaborates on the intricate relationships of the academic community and the effects of this community-specific lifestyle on individuals’ family relationships and social lives, is also successfully absorbed by young actors like Ellen Page and Ashton Holmes. With a warm smile, meaningful looks, a distinctive tone and self-confident stance, Ellen Page plays the role of conservative Vanessa in a success-oriented life to attract the attention of her professor father. Ashton Holmes, who plays Lawrence’s son James, is unfortunately too far behind to show his talent.
The film, which leaves James’ life full of secrets as a secret and emphasizes the disconnection of the character from his family, fails to use Ashton Holmes in my opinion. The character of Vanessa, played by Ellen Page, is brought to the forefront, and James, who plays as much as Vanessa in family relationships, becomes invisible. With this preference, the film also makes you feel that you have used Ellen Page almost as a marketing tool for the young actor who has gained a wide fan base with “Juno” in recent months.
In fact, this apprehension is the main reason why “Smart People”, who, inevitably, has gone into box office concerns, has left Ashton Holmes in the background, despite its appeal to a limited audience as an independent production. Perhaps Sarah Jessica Parker, who has difficulty wearing her character’s unique features, may be attributed to her popularity.
Parker, who is felt to be included in the cast to announce the film to wider audiences and to attract the fan base to movie theaters, has a long distance relationship with the subject and course of the film. On the other hand, it is up to me to superficial the romantic relationship between the character Janet and Professor Lawrence, in which Sarah Jessica Parker plays the only function, which is thought to have the function of emphasizing the disconnection of academic characters from everyday life and their discordance in social life.
Smart Smart People “is a film that can be enjoyed especially by film lovers who are involved in academic life or who are thinking about academic studies. Noam Murro’s first feature is successfully focusing on mental projects and demonstrating how much alienation, loss of communication ability, and loneliness can be achieved while struggling with abstract disciplines. Smart Smart People, başarılı is especially worth watching for successful character analysis, Dennis Quaid’s full performance, Ellen Page’s cuteness, and Nuno Bettencourt’s music.
Smart People (2008)
Directed by: Noam Murro
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Haden Church, Ellen Page, Ashton Holmes, Christine Lahti, Amanda Jane Cooper, Camille Mana, Aaron Bernard, Iva Jean Saraceni
Screenplay by: Mark Poirier
Production Design by: Patti Podesta
Cinematography by: Toby Irwin
Film Editing by: Robert Frazen, Yana Gorskaya
Costume Design by: Amy Westcott
Set Decoration by: Teresa Visinare
Art Direction by: Ron Mason
Music by: Nuno Bettencourt
MPAA Rating: R for language, brief teen drug and alcohol use and for some sexuality.
Distributed by: Miramax Films
Release Date: April 11, 2008
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