"Smart People" isn't a laugh clinic it's more of a film that's written very sharp and the lines are witty and intelligent. And the themes of characterization dominate much of the movie as each face a problem during their life. And this film really shows and proves that each and every person no matter how smart or dumb they are learn something as they go. The cast is super with veterans Quaid, Parker, and Church who give steady and seasoned performances and it blends well with Page's witty and fresh intelligent turn.
Dennis Quaid is Lawrence Wetherhold a literature professor at a Pittsburgh, PA university who's a cultured yet uptight and lonely social misfit who still misses his deceased wife. One of the things that keeps him going is his witty and smart as could be daughter Vanessa(Ellen Page) who knows everything from politics to pop culture she also has a sharp tongue she's certainly a joy to listen to(much like Page's "Juno" character). Also he's just taken in his lonely and confused stepbrother Chuck(Thomas Haden Church)who does provide him some emotional support. Much of that changes for the better thru bad fate after Lawrence suffers a concussion and once he discovers after his treatment from ER doctor Janet(Sarah Jessica Parker)that she was once an ex student a friendship develops into love.
Along the way the film focuses in on each characters good points and their negatives as each learn the good and bad points along the way about one another. Ending in a surprise as this films proves no matter how intelligent or smart a person is they can always learn from life's lessons and by making mistakes unexpected joys and happiness may arrive. You learn life as you go. This film is nothing great, but okay for the way it's witty and focuses on different characterizations and it proves each must learn and the performances are well from the veterans topped off by Page's wit.
Dennis Quaid is Lawrence Wetherhold a literature professor at a Pittsburgh, PA university who's a cultured yet uptight and lonely social misfit who still misses his deceased wife. One of the things that keeps him going is his witty and smart as could be daughter Vanessa(Ellen Page) who knows everything from politics to pop culture she also has a sharp tongue she's certainly a joy to listen to(much like Page's "Juno" character). Also he's just taken in his lonely and confused stepbrother Chuck(Thomas Haden Church)who does provide him some emotional support. Much of that changes for the better thru bad fate after Lawrence suffers a concussion and once he discovers after his treatment from ER doctor Janet(Sarah Jessica Parker)that she was once an ex student a friendship develops into love.
Along the way the film focuses in on each characters good points and their negatives as each learn the good and bad points along the way about one another. Ending in a surprise as this films proves no matter how intelligent or smart a person is they can always learn from life's lessons and by making mistakes unexpected joys and happiness may arrive. You learn life as you go. This film is nothing great, but okay for the way it's witty and focuses on different characterizations and it proves each must learn and the performances are well from the veterans topped off by Page's wit.