Smart People DVD Review

August 19, 2008 By Elizabeth

subtitle: great movie to watch while nursing a sprained ankle

If you liked the movie Sideways, I highly recommend buying or renting the movie Smart People, from one of the Sideways producers. The terrific cast includes Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Haden Church, and Ellen Page, and like Sideways, Smart People focuses on the relationships between the characters. Lawrence (Quaid) is a recently widowed college professor who sleep-walks through his days, not really connecting with anyone, until his slacker brother Chuck (Church) shows up at his doorstep. Ellen Page is his daughter Vanessa who is trying to keep the family together.

When an accident lands him in the hospital, Lawrence meets his attractive doctor Janet (Parker) who was also a former student of his. Unable to drive while he recuperates, Chuck volunteers to be his driver, despite Lawrence’s objections. Chuck and Vanessa begin hanging out together as well, which lends even more drama and conflict to the situation. And, Lawrence finds himself attracted to Janet, yet he barely remembers how to be in a relationship with a woman. With snappy dialogue and stellar acting, Smart People is a must-see. Even if you aren’t laid up on the couch with a sprained ankle.