The Secret Lives of Dentists
The Secret Lives of Dentists

The Secret Lives of Dentists

2002Movie104 minEnglish

An introspective dentist's suspicions about his wife's infidelity stresses his mental well being and family life to the breaking point.

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IMDb6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes59%
Metacritic60/100
Google Users70%
Director: Alan RudolphGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A successful New York City couple, both dentists, find their lives unraveling as they suspect each other of infidelity. Dr. Alice Burns begins to doubt her husband, Dr. David Burns, after she finds a cryptic lipstick stain on his collar. This suspicion leads her down a rabbit hole of paranoia, causing her to question every aspect of their marriage and her own sanity. The film explores the hidden complexities and insecurities that lie beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives.

Critical Reception

The Secret Lives of Dentists received a mixed to positive reception from critics. While some praised its performances and exploration of marital dynamics, others found its plot to be somewhat meandering or overly familiar. Audiences were generally divided, with many appreciating the nuanced portrayal of relationships and others finding it slow-paced.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praise for the strong performances, particularly from Hope Davis and Skeet Ulrich.
  • Appreciation for its attempt to explore the complexities of modern marriage and infidelity.
  • Criticism for a plot that sometimes felt predictable and lacked significant dramatic impact.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be an interesting, albeit slow-moving, look at marital issues. Many viewers appreciated the realistic portrayal of the characters' struggles and the strong acting, though some felt the story didn't offer enough surprises.

Fun Fact

The film was based on the 1970 novel 'The Husband' by novelst and psychiatrist, Gerald Jay Goldberg.

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