User reviews

OK, so I have to give this movie points for originality. How many films involve a dentist protagonist? I watched the featurette on the DVD and director David Atkins explained that he wanted to throw a curve ball at the audience by having Steve Martin play the main character in a dark comedy--since audiences are probably expecting something much broader. I didn't get any laughs out of this film; just some mild chuckles. But whether it's a dark comedy or a mystery-thriller, it doesn't quite gel. And ultimately, the film left a bad taste in my mouth--no pun intended. It's watchable, and at times quite intriguing, but it's definitely not a memorable film that I would watch on repeat viewings.

The cast is spirited. Steve Martin never ceases to please, whether he's playing a broad comic role or the straight man. Here, he plays more of the latter. But I wasn't surprised he was able to pull it off. If anybody has seen Lawrence Kasdan's "Grand Canyon," you know Steve is a versatile actor who can easily pull off a serious role. This isn't his first time playing the straight man. Laura Dern is amusing as Steve's neurotic, obsessive-compulsive, karate-kicking wife. Helena Bonham Carter is sassy and sexy, a totally convincing femme fetale. Elias Koteas has some nice moments as Steve's black-sheep brother. And last but not least, Kevin Bacon has an amusing unbilled cameo as an actor researching murder cases for his upcoming movie.

Danny Elfman's opening theme is wonderfully haunting. There are certain elements of "Novocaine" that I liked, it does have its moments (the twist ending totally caught me by surprise!!), but it just doesn't come together.

My score: 6 (out of 10)

I hesitate to call "Novocaine" a film noir, for those knowledgeable cinema buffs out there may harass me and tell me film noir is usually set in the forties, and so on and so forth. But the core of film noir is really the essential idea of the Everyman thrust into incomprehensible situations, not aware of what is happening, why, or how to stop it. Film noirs usually show our hero caught up in framed murder. In "Novocaine," a dentist is thrust into a world of lies, deceit, sex, drugs, and murder. And if that doesn't tickle your fear, then maybe the fact that the dentist is Steve Martin will.

Film noirs are a tricky thing to make correctly. They can fail very easily, such as the incredibly disappointing "D.O.A." They can stumble, mess up. When the rare "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" comes along, it is time to rejoice. I must admit that when I went to see "Novocaine" with Steve Martin, I did not expect very much. I had already heard bad news about it, seen little previews for it, and generally expected it to be a bad movie. Steve Martin in a film noir about a funny dentist? Fortunately, I instantly realized I had made a mistake.

Our tale begins with Dr. Frank Sangster, a mild-mannered dentist (isn't that how it always is in film noirs?) with a fiancé/co-worker, Jean (Laura Dern), and a generally nice, peaceful little world. But that world is shaken when a sleazy, lusty woman named Susan Ivey (Helena Bonham Carter) walks through the doors. She wants Novocaine, but Frank doesn't know this. After a night of passion in the dentist's chair, Frank agrees to give her Novocaine for pain she is having. But the next day, when he thinks he may have gotten away with everything, he finds out that Susan has increased the amount on the prescription he gave her from about 1 to 100, or something like that. Soon Frank is being checked out by the Three-Letter Government Corporations, and, unable to come up with excuses for the missing Novocaine, tries to find Susan and confront her about it. Before long he is caught up in a web of deceit, murder, perjury, all the stuff I said before.

"Novocaine" is a sweet ball of darkness, laughs and film noir. It numbs you, leaving you breathless. It is as if the film itself is "Novocaine." It isn't a terrific comedy, or a terrific film noir, but it is a heck of a lot better than you have probably been led to believe. Steve Martin is about the last person you'd expect to see in a film like this, but my favorite comedian pulls it off. His character, Frank, has no idea what is going on. He isn't experienced in the world of greed, lust and so on and so forth like Susan is--he is new to it, stumbling forward unsure of where to go next. As situations catch up with him, he runs farther, searching the darkness, trying to find answers.

This is a fun movie to watch, the kind of movie I've been looking for. The beginning credits, which show X-rays of the human mouth, set the tone for the film--it is a dark movie, and leaves you feeling dirty throughout. It is the type of movie where you want to sit back, shake your head and make ticking sounds with your mouth. It frustrates you, it leads the characters into wrong decision, and you want to yell at the screen to stop them from doing what they're doing. But when the dirty feeling of the film kicks in, the small laughs along the way provide a balance to the darkness. "Novocaine" is a very well-done film noir. When the credits start rolling, you will feel surges of anger, frustration, laughter and sadness, and then the numbness will kick in on the ride home, and you'll feel like you've just been given a dose of Novocaine.

Steve Martin is believable as a dentist who sees his life spiraling out of control after a series of cascading lies sets him up as a murder suspect. What is not believable is the script, which seems to overlook common sense. Cops that fall asleep while guarding a suspect, and worse yet handcuffing a suspect to a flimsy bench in the court house. After an intriguing set up, everything has less and less logic. The proverbial happy ending is totally unbelievable, as is the supposed motivation for the entire storyline. If you want to see a pretty good Steve Martin performance and can overlook Novocaine's many flaws, it is definitely watchable. - MERK

Most stars have made a film they regret. I fear this will be the one for Steve Martin, Laura Dern & Helena Bonham Carter. Martin stars as a popular dentist, engaged to his office manager (Dern). One evening when he's alone in the office a mysterious young woman (Carter) comes in and convinces him to give her a prescription for pain killers, promising to come back for treatment the next morning. This one mistake of his sets off a series of intrigues and doublecrosses with a satisfying ending. So why am I so disappointed in the movie? For one thing, the story has holes that no amount of dental work can fill. And the movie is filled with gratuitously painful-to-watch scenes of dental work... starting right from the beginning. This is definitely not a movie to eat popcorn by and, in spite of the satisfying ending, everyone at my screening left the theater feeling sickened and extremely disappointed in Steve Martin.

This was a good movie, but there were several plot holes you could drive a truck through. I found myself saying "No one would really do that" over and over again. It seemed as though the director wanted to do a straight suspense film, and Steve Martin wanted to do a screwball comedy, and in the end, it's neither one. The characters are well played, and Helena Bonham Carter did an especially good job with a big departure from her previous roles as refined British noble women. At times, the actors got very close to being caricatures instead of characters. All in all, an enjoyable film if you aren't expecting the quality of "The Spanish Prisoner", which I think is still Steve Martin's best film ever.

I think a lot of people don't mind seeing Steve Martin again playing a dentist after his role in the 1986 version of "Little Shop of Horrors", although of course his role in this movie is quite different.

"Novocaine" is a movie that is using all of the classic film-noir ingredients but above all the movie is a comedy. A black-comedy but a comedy nevertheless. And it's a rather well made and written one. The movie has some nice twists but never forgets to also entertain.

Steve Martin shows why he is still a much asked actor for comedies, even though his best roles are long since behind him, he still knows how to handle the genre and time things in his performances, without ever going over-the-top with anything. Helena Bonham Carter is a great femme fatale for this movie and Laura Dern also plays a surprising role. The movie also has solid supporting actors in it such as Lynne Thigpen, Elias Koteas, Keith David and Scott Caan. The older Scott Caan gets, the more he starts to look like his father, also acting-wise. Kevin Bacon also makes a totally fun cameo as an actor who is doing research for a cop role.

The great and typically wacky musical main titles for the movie were composed by Danny Elfman, which set the tone for the movie really. Most of the rest of the score was composed by Steve Bartek, who normally works as Danny Elfman's orchestrator.

The story is enough to draw you into the movie. It has some unexpected twists, although these all occur toward the end. The movie perhaps does become a tad bit too serious at times, which doesn't completely suit the movie and its atmosphere. Thankfully the movie is mostly just fun. It's good quality entertainment to watch and better than your average film-noir/comedy crossover attempt, which is mainly thanks to the great cast of the movie and the solid written story.

7/10

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Steve Martin has either grown more talented and brilliant with age or we are now having more opportunities to witness this. His subtleness and incredible face are alluring. The entire cast deserves kudos for a great ensemble. On the other hand, the writing and directing do not.

Unlike the cast members who were top rate, the direction was simplistic, not in a minimalist fashion, but in a puerile attempt: first this happens, then that, now everyone act vaudevillian. The direction appeared to be confused between stage and film. The writing was weak with annoying one liners and non-clever phrases. Not enough credit was given to the intellect of the audience and too much was spelled out for us. None the less, I managed to finish the film and was rewarded with a unique and sweet ending.

Now that Steve Martin is no longer funny I can understand him wanting to branch out in other directions, but Helena Bonham Carter and Laura Dern have no such excuse. I didn't believe a word of the script and the acting was too hammy for words. I've seen better TV movies than this. Root canal work would be preferable to watching it.

What exactly was the point? For the first hour it didn't seem so bad and it made me wonder why the critics panned it. But it went downhill fast after that and became so far fetched it must have tested all the actors' skill to do this one with a straight face. Steve Martin needs to stick to comedy,and Helena Bonham Carter should get back in her corset, we've seen enough of her. A talented cast was wasted on this. The ending made me wonder if this wasn't just an attempt to spoof film noir. If so, they should not have packaged it as a comedy. No one seems sure of the genre, it's often listed as a comedy and a drama..(?) Films which try to mix genres often fail in my opinion. The audience is left confused and disappointed...

This has been a quite entertaining movie. Not really a top notch movie, not really working as a comedy, but still pretty entertaining. It started out veeery slow and boooring - it took a little too long for it to evolve. But when it started to it got better and better. There's that very freaky story and a wrecked Bonham-Carter (she's good playin such characters ;-) adding most to this film. However the ending was a little too fantastic since it shouldn't be a problem for the forensics to ... no, I won't spoil hehe.

My favourite scene was Martin's call where he spoke to that guy who answered the phone with "barbie's bakery. it's mr. muffin man speakin." LOL

My overall rating is: 6.5/10 - if you're not sure what to watch, try this one. It works pretty well as entertainment.

Everything in this movie starts out realistic. Then that all changes after the murder, when you can't take it seriously anymore. But it's still fun, and pretty damn funny too. I liked a lot, and would reccomend this dark comedy. B, 7/10

While labeled as a comedy "Novocaine" is not your typical Steve Martin comedy. And while there are elements of comedy throughout the movie this was actually more of a crime mystery. And it was actually a quite nice change of pace for Steve Martin.

The movie is about Frank Sangster, a dentist whose life is rosy red and dandy. When he, against his better judgment, prescribes Demetol to an unusual client, he suddenly finds himself under suspicion and murder. One thing leads to the other and Franks is well in over his head.

The storyline was actually quite good and well thought through, keeping the audience guessing at what is going on. Director David Atkins actually managed to put together a very entertaining movie.

One of the things that really lifted up this movie was the impressive cast, which included Steve Martin, Laura Dern, Elias Koteas and of course Helena Bonham Carter. There is also two great cameos by Kevin Bacon and Keith David.

"Novocaine" is a unique Steve Martin movie that should definitely be seen if you enjoy Steve Martin movies.

That's really the only word for this. What a travesty, to take such a great concept and make such a piece of crap. A noir comedy should be exactly my cup of tea, too. But the comedy was too uneven, and the noir touches were mixed into a modern-sensibilities romantic plotline that indicates the director doesn't understand noir. The plot contained holes in areas that were just too vital - the ultra-shocking climax turns out to have been completely unnecessary in the denouement. I liked the visual gimmicks though; wipes using an X-ray effect, and intercuts of animated X-rays at key moments. It was visually good - reminded me a bit of "Suture". But altogether one of the most disappointing films I've seen in a while.

Novocaine is a watchable mystery/drama/film noir/comedy. The performance of Steve Martin is very good, he proves once more that good comedians know a lot about timing and pacing. It's really a delight to watch him. And Laura Dern is even better! She plays a truly interesting role of a high octane, hyperactive maniac of a woman.

Basically, the movie is about people who'd rather like to be somewhere else. The locations in clean, antiseptic no-man's land somewhere in the USA and the main character's fantasies about romantic French rural life (has ceased to exist a long time ago, I'm afraid - if it ever had existed) help to get that message through beautifully.

Rarely does the title of a film say as much about it as this one does; because by the time you get to the end, there's a good chance you're going to feel quite numb, as if you've been given a body-size shot of novocaine. And it's not because there's so much wrong with this film-- it's just that there's not too much right about it; it's seemingly beyond the help of even it's high profile cast, and that's even if they were, indeed, trying to help in the first place. Unfortunately, the evidence-- with regards to one of the stars of the project, at any rate-- inexplicably points to the contrary, and it leaves `Novocaine,' written and directed by David Atkins, somewhere out on a limb; a precarious place to be, considering that the tree itself was not strong enough to take root in the first place. Simply put, this one's on such shaky ground that you'll be convinced that there has to be a fault line running along beneath it somewhere, and while you're trying to figure out where, you just might miss the point of the whole thing, which is something along the lines of `If You Play With Fire You'll Get Burned.' Or better yet, pick your own platitude and fill in the blank. Either way, there's not going to be any getting around the numb thing. Just accept it, and try to move on.

Frank Sangster (Steve Martin) is a dentist with a successful practice, a beautiful finance, Jean (Laura Dern), and a future that promises more of the same. Until one day out of the blue, Susan (Helena Bonham Carter), a new patient, shows up at his office with a toothache. And before it's over, he gives her a root canal, and she gives him the `works,' which includes wheedling a prescription of Demerol out of him. Can it be she has a drug problem? Can Frank smell scam? Apparently not, because the next day the entire drug supply in his office is missing, and so is Susan. She does leave one of her more personal items behind in the office, however, and when Jean gets wind of it, Frank-- to paraphrase a famous line-- has some ‘splaining to do. And in veritably a nanosecond, the life of one Frank Sangster is turned upside down, and that old gravity, reality, begins it's pull on him; and there's only one way it can possibly take him: Suffice to say, it isn't up.

Bringing a feature film to the screen is no easy task, and it must be especially challenging to make the attempt while wearing two hats (writer and director). And from all appearances, this is where Atkins gets into trouble, as the problems with this film (and there are many) begin with the screenplay. Writer Atkins simply doesn't give director Atkins much to work with, and it just may be that he was too close to his own material, which prevented him from seeing it objectively. And that objective viewpoint is something this film needed. Badly. With the exception of a pivotal element of the climax, there is nothing original about the story at all, and that single element is too ludicrous to be effective, or believable. And therein lies the basic problem with the film: Even if you manage to suspend disbelief while watching it, you would still need an imagination with a Gumby-like flexibility before any of it would seem convincing or the least bit probable. Given a best case scenario, the story just isn't plausible at all. The dialogue is poorly scripted (For instance, as it unfolds, no less than three characters ask Frank, `Can I ask you a personal question?' which is about two times too many to be credible), the execution of the material lacks the fine-tuning it needs and, inexplicably, the actors fail to bring any definition at all to their characters (they needed help, `direction,' and obviously Atkins-- for whatever reason-- was unable to supply it). Filmmaking is inherently a collaborative enterprise, and when a project lacks that cohesive unity, it invariably has a negative impact on the final product. And it certainly does here.

Steve Martin turns in what is arguably the most convincing performance of the film, but it is far from his best work. His portrayal of Frank lacks the nuance he usually brings to the characters he creates, and the result is a fairly nondescript protagonist. And, though Frank comes across as `real' overall, Martin fails to really get into his skin or to explore the motivations that drive Frank on to doing what he does; and because of all that precedes it, as well as the way in which it is presented, what would have been merely a ridiculous ending becomes absolutely ludicrous. Martin has a good go at it, but in the end he barely manages to keep his Frank afloat, and under closer scrutiny, the credibility slowly begins to unravel.

Helena Bonham Carter, meanwhile, gives a performance that doesn't hold up to a casual glance, let alone close scrutiny, and it's one of the biggest surprises of the film. The usually reliable Carter-- who is a terrific, versatile actor-- winds up with possibly the most unrealistic character she's ever created. For this film to work, the audience must believe that Susan is an addict; But there is nothing in Carter's portrayal to confirm, or even indicate, that this is the case. And here, more than anywhere else, is where the credibility of the entire film dissolves, negating any of the more positive aspects in the balance. It's a one-dimensional, one note character, and it takes it's toll on the whole picture.

Laura Dern has also done better work-- though, as Jean, she looks good, and certainly brings a lot of energy to the film. A decent effort, but it's not enough to save `Novocaine,' and-- like the audience-- she gets little return on the investment of her time here. 3/10.

I like most of Steve Martin's work, and I also liked this movie, but I was not impressed.

Novocaine has it's moments where it is really funny, but there are also some periods where not much is happening. It's not a typical Steve Martin movie where you laugh all the time, Novocaine has some serious and thrilling moments that we don't see in most other Steve Martin movies.

The movie is a different Steve Martin movie, but there are still some good moments in Novocaine. I think this movie deserves 6/10, it is worth watching.

At least it's ambitious, but sadly it's also tiring. The problem isn't with the acting, in fact the casting choices for Novocaine are quite inspiring. Steve Martin has never been better playing it straight, and Helena Boham Carter is eloquent. I just felt the story was too much a rehash of superior film noirs. The film has a nice style, but the story needed serious work. Completely bland.

To start with, any movie in which Helena Bonham Carter gets naked is a good thing.

This is a weird weird movie, but good pacing and casting saves it. A more disciplined director could have turned it into a cult classic.

Steve Martin is convincing in a challenging part. He is a fine actor.He brings just enough comedy so the movie doesn't descend into the land that light forgot. This edge gives the film strange believability.

Laura Dern is also exquisite walking a fine line to achieve a balance between farce and drama. Her character, blondness and 'hard body' look contrasted effectively with HBC's petite, auburn wickedness.

At the end, I wanted to watch it again to appreciate the fine points I missed the first time through.

I would describe it as a darker " The Whole Nine Yards".

This movie was enjoyable though at times it was a bit predictable. I'd like to add, however, that I didn't predict the ending! Overall, it was a little quirky as might be expected from Steve Martin. A must see for Steve Martin fans.

I would have thought that the best thing this movie had going for it would be the simple presence of the usually competent and funny Steve Martin. But he is terribly miscast as the framed dentist and sleepwalks through a poor unfunny performance in this non-mystery. Carter is beautiful as Martin's junkie patient, turned lover, whom his brother, Koteas, sets up to frame him for her brother's murder. It turns out that Martin's 'goody two shoes' fiance, Dern, is behind the whole thing. It is actually more ridiculous than it sounds and believe it not Kevin Bacon steals what little there is in this movie as an famous actor studying police work. Three Stars out of 10 because it did make me drowsy.