Smart People

Smart People is a 2008 comedy film directed by Noam Murro.

Fast Facts

1. Release date: April 11, 2008
2. Director: Noam Murro
3. Screenwriter: Mark Poirier
4. Producers: Michael Costigan, Bridget Johnson, Michael London, Bruna Papandrea
5. Distributor: Miramax Films
6. MPAA rating: Rated R
7. Run time: 93 min
8. Premiered: 2008 Sundance Film Festival

Plot Summary

Professor Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid) must learn to overcome his arrogance and apathy in order to earn the affections of his children (Ellen Page and Ashton Holmes) and potential love interest Janet Hartigan (Sarah Jessica Parker).

Cast

• Dennis Quaid as Lawrence Wetherhold
• Sarah Jessica Parker as Janet Hartigan
• Thomas Haden Church as Chuck Wetherhold
• Ellen Page as Vanessa Wetherhold

Reviews

• "Quaid disappears beneath his beard and into his role, yet because Lawrence is such a remote character, it's hard to care much. Page's role is pretty thin and monotonous, which leaves Church's droll Chuck to provide subtle relief from the gloom." - Roger Ebert¹

• "[T]he actors in Smart People are such lively, offbeat company that you're happy to spend time with them. The movie is too savvy to let Lawrence shake off his curmudgeonly vibe. He doesn't grow, he just emerges, and that's enough." - Entertainment Weekly²

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