Smart People

First Paul Giamatti in Sideways, and now Dennis Quaid in Smart People. Why does every intelligent yet cynical, self-deprecating writer/teacher with emotional detachment and women issues drive a Saab? Wait, I drive a Saab.

Smart People is a sharp dramedy by a first time writing and directing duo that combines a talented cast with great dialogue and a pragmatic view of dysfunctional relationships, even when the people are exceptionally gifted intellectually. There is not much more to the story than a character study of a widower college professor (Quaid) who is simultaneously striving for a department head position at the distinguished Carnegie Mellon University English Department, and trying to publish a book about some tremendously boring and pompous diatribe about the criticism of literature. His curmudgeon is endearing and respectable, but evokes sympathy because of the effect it has on his two children, played by the outstanding Ellen Page and the unassuming Ashton Holmes. Luckily, Quaid's adopted brother, the obligatory black sheep of the family, played by Thomas Haden Church is there to add levity to the mix.

Rounding out the cast is Sarah Jessica Parker as the former student and current love interest, but there was something important missing from her performance. I didn't buy her as a doctor, and there was never really any telling evidence to qualify her attraction to Quaid in the first place. Something just seemed out of place, but I can't put my finger on it.

Page filmed this prior to her hugely successful Juno, but the characters could be twins separated at birth, with one becoming the quick-witted rebel chick, and the other the academically overachieving, therefore quick-witted yet socially deprived symbol of unacknowledged teenage angst. Pretty much dopplegangers (I never tire of that word) without the sinister nature. Her performance is great, but as with Juno, she had great writing. Not to take anything away from her acting ability, but much of the allure has more to do with what she says and how it appears coming out of her sweet, innocent mouth than how she actually says it.

Thomas Haden Church is the glue that holds this film (and family) together. Although the story revolves around Quaid, without Church, it would have been far too dismal of a family situation and dysfunctional would have become tragic. He even evokes the spirit of Oscar 2007 and sports a hideous mustache that seems almost contrived even though it clearly isn't.

This is what I would call the first good film of 2008. Cloverfield was entertaining, but this one delivered more than just that. It was heartwarming, clever and well done. Quaid shows that he is truly one of the better actors around with a performance more on par with In Good Company, The Rookie, or Traffic than The Day After Tomorrow, or Flight of the Phoenix. He has made some questionable decisions over the past decade, but I have a feeling he is finding himself a niche as he rolls into his mid 50's.

Thomas Haden Church and Ellen Page are continuing to impress me as actors, and Sarah Jessica Parker? I am not sure. She may stay in the business, but it wouldn't surprise me to see her fade gracefully after Sex and the City. She just doesn't seem right in many of her past few roles. That might just be me though. 8/10.