Smart People Reviews
Critic & User Reviews
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Critic Reviews
Smart People, unlike "Sideways" or "The Savages," has a plot that's a little too rote.
Read the full reviewIt's the kind of observational comedy, that'll be hard to find come summertime and should be enjoyed while there's still a chance.
Read the full reviewPoirier is a master at dialogue. His script crackles with sharp lines and he gives all his scenes a splendid comic undertow.
Read the full reviewThe great virtue of Smart People, attributable to Noam Murro?s easygoing direction as well as to Mr. Poirier?s wandering screenplay, lies in its general preference for small insights over grand revelations.
Read the full reviewA good deal of the freshness comes from a grand, clownish slob played by Thomas Haden Church -- he's actually the smartest person of the piece -- while Dennis Quaid occupies the center with a mastery that's all the more notable for its humanity.
Read the full reviewDennis Quaid could stand in for Jeff Daniels' similarly toxic snob in "The Squid And The Whale," if only he were a little smarter and a little better-dressed.
Read the full reviewThough it features witty dialogue and good performances, the plot contrivances keep it from being an altogether winning enterprise.
Read the full reviewThe main problem with Smart People is that it never breaks new ground. This is territory we have seen tilled to better effect by more perceptive motion pictures.
Read the full reviewDysfunctional family seriocomedy is well cast, but characters and conflicts lack the sharper definition of similar recent exercises like "Little Miss Sunshine," "The Upside of Anger" and Noah Baumbach's films.
Read the full reviewAs tough as Lawrence is to like, Smart People is even harder to hate, mainly because of the sharply observed script by novelist Mark Jude Poirier. Just when you're losing patience with the movie, it sneaks up on you with a poignant detail or a character-defining turn of phrase.
Read the full reviewIt's impossible to tell whether the film's ending is happy because it's happy or because it's ending.
Read the full reviewThe movie gets bogged down in the formula conventions of romantic comedy, and in the process, it loses all honesty.
Read the full reviewReview excerpts provided by Metacritic.com.
The Metascore® designation for this movie is 57
User Reviews
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Typical lives
"This Movie reminds us all that our lives aren't the only screwed lives around--its the norm rather than the exception---great acting in this slow moving drama typical of life itself-----truly enjoyed it"
Smart People
"Smart People has the feel of an indie film. Its opening scenes focus on Lawrence Wetherhold (Dennis Quaid), an English professor at Carnegie Mellon University, who is as absent minded in day-to-day affairs as he brilliant in his field. Read my full review atjohnhuntspace.com/smartpeople.html"
Thomas Hayden Church was the best
"This was not as good as most indie movies and not as bad as most mainstream movies. The sad depressing tone throughout was a little annoying....I mean, come on, even generally sad people crack a smile once in a while.....at least I think they do. I'm generally happy so I guess I can't speak for the generally sad. The dialogue was good, and I loved Thomas Hayden Church the best-he was the one semi-bright glimmer in an otherwise depressing film. I found Dennis Quaid's purposely protruding belly and Sarah Jessica Parker's awful hair distracting. It's weird, I enjoyed the film for what it was, though don't go in thinking it's a comedy...it's a slow semi-sad drama with some funny lines. Well acted by all."
samsamcarol3 is 100% right
"for all the people who are only for action/horror/and sex-comedy movies, then this isnt for you. its for people who enjoy a realistic movie. I wouldnt call this a romantic comedy though, not in MY veiw and its not a chick flick because i thought it was really good. but sadly i had to leave because my ride was early. so......anyways i thought it was really good. Ellen Page was Awsome as usual!"
Smart People? How about STUPID PEOPLE
"I really think that the correct name should have been STUPID PEOPLE as that's how they all behaved. It did keep my attention and it sure is something different from the mainstream movies. I will say that this is sure not for children. Would I recommend it? No, unless you just got to see something and are sick of the usual trash. Then it might be worth it. I'll give it 2 out of 4 stars as there was an effort to try something different."
WORTH THE TIME TO SEE...GOOD WORDING..GOOD ACTORS
"THIS FILM IS NOT FOR ACTION FILM FANS...IT'S FOR PEOPLE WITH AN INTELLECTUAL BENT AND VOCABULARY. THE SCRIPT IS WELL DONE. THE CHARACTERS WELL FORMED AND VERY WELL ACTED. BY THE TIME IT WAS OVER I BREATHED..."WELL DONE!!!""
Great Movie !!!
"I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. Most R-rated movies are so full of profanity (and most PG-13s too) but aside from hearing the F-bomb a few times, it was pretty decent. I loved each of the characters in this movie. I didn't think that it was boring at all. In fact, everybody laughed out loud several times. The story was very simple, like most indie films are, but it was also very compelling. I enjoyed every minute of it. If you see it, make sure that you stay through the beginning of the credits because it shows how the story ends."
Boring boring boring
"This movie is just bad. Good cast, meaningless movie. The characters lacked sincerity and were just sad. I saw people leaving the theater but I stayed hoping it would get better. It never did. Don't waste your time."
Lackluster...but still enjoyed it.
"This movie moved along at a snail's pace, even though it is only 93 minutes long...go figure. I did, however, find myself enjoying the quirkiness of the film, and wanted to know more about the characters when it ended. Again, go figure. While I am not sure I would recommend this one, I will say that for me, it did not feel like a total waste of money. I sort of viewed it with my head cocked sideways, wondering what might be coming next, or wondering what was currently transpiring in a scene. I always enjoy Sarah Jessica Parker on the big screen, along with the rest of the cast, who did the best with what they had, which, unfortunately, was not a heck of a lot...Overall, I give it four stars."
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