Remember in Little Shop of Horrors when Steve Martin played a dentist? Those of you who loved him in that will probably really look forward to renting Novocaine, in which he also plays a dentist. I fell into that trap, too, and while I did sit through the entire movie, I wasn't exactly happy that I did. This movie is not for the squeamish, like yours truly, and there's a particularly cringe-worthy scene that I had to fast-forward.
Steve plays a dentist with a pretty good life. Business is solid, and his dental hygienist is his girlfriend, Laura Dern. Then, when the mysterious and clearly bad-news Helena Bonham Carter comes to him with a bad tooth, his entire world turns upside down. First, Helena asks for a hefty pain prescription, then she brings alcohol to the office late at night and seduces him, then she robs his entire supply of drugs, then her violent brother Scott Caan threatens Steve and Laura-and then things get really out of control.
If you like Helena Bonham Carter and the wacky movies she tends to make, you might like this movie. I found it a little too gory, even though I was able to appreciate the tension in the plot and Steve Martin's dramatic performance. I also found The Whole Nine Yards too gory, for a similar reason, so keep that clue in mind if you decide to rent this. Keep your eyes peeled for Keith David, who always adds an extra oomph to a supporting cast, and his shadow Kevin Bacon, an actor doing research for his next role as a police detective.
DLM warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Throughout the entire movie, there are random flashes that cut to x-rays, and the sudden strobing might make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to sex scenes, violence, and gore, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
Steve plays a dentist with a pretty good life. Business is solid, and his dental hygienist is his girlfriend, Laura Dern. Then, when the mysterious and clearly bad-news Helena Bonham Carter comes to him with a bad tooth, his entire world turns upside down. First, Helena asks for a hefty pain prescription, then she brings alcohol to the office late at night and seduces him, then she robs his entire supply of drugs, then her violent brother Scott Caan threatens Steve and Laura-and then things get really out of control.
If you like Helena Bonham Carter and the wacky movies she tends to make, you might like this movie. I found it a little too gory, even though I was able to appreciate the tension in the plot and Steve Martin's dramatic performance. I also found The Whole Nine Yards too gory, for a similar reason, so keep that clue in mind if you decide to rent this. Keep your eyes peeled for Keith David, who always adds an extra oomph to a supporting cast, and his shadow Kevin Bacon, an actor doing research for his next role as a police detective.
DLM warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Throughout the entire movie, there are random flashes that cut to x-rays, and the sudden strobing might make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to sex scenes, violence, and gore, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.