Novocaine
Novocaine

Movie spotlight

Novocaine

2001
Movie
95 min
English

A dentist finds himself a murder suspect after a sexy patient seduces him into prescribing her drugs.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes48%
Metacritic47/100
Google Users63%
Director: David AtkinsGenres: Comedy, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

A mild-mannered dentist becomes entangled in a dangerous and thrilling situation when he falls for a beautiful and mysterious patient. What begins as an affair quickly spirals into a complex web of crime, manipulation, and mistaken identity, forcing the dentist to question everything he thought he knew about his life and the people around him.

Critical Reception

Novocaine received a mixed reception from critics, who often praised its stylish direction and the performances of its lead actors, particularly Steve Martin and Helena Bonham Carter. However, many found the plot to be convoluted and the dark humor to be unevenly distributed, leading to a film that was ambitious but ultimately fell short of its potential.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stylish visual flair and intriguing premise.

  • Steve Martin and Helena Bonham Carter deliver memorable performances.

  • Criticized for a convoluted plot and inconsistent tone.

Google audience: Audiences found the film to be a stylish thriller with strong performances, though some noted that the plot became difficult to follow and the dark comedy didn't always land.

Fun Fact

Helena Bonham Carter initially turned down the role of Susan Ivey, but Steve Martin personally called her and convinced her to take it.

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