Watch Novocaine

Novocaine is a black comedy thriller that was released in 2001, directed and written by David Atkins. The film stars Steve Martin, Helena Bonham Carter, Chelcie Ross, and Laura Dern. The story follows Dr. Frank Sangster, a dentist who gets caught up in a web of lies and crime, leading to dangerous consequences. Dr. Frank Sangster (Steve Martin) is a successful dentist who lives in a suburban area with his fiancée, Jean (Laura Dern). He is a mild-mannered, conservative man who abides by the rules and has always been honest in his personal and professional life. However, his life takes a turn when he meets Susan Iverson (Helena Bonham Carter), a seductive patient who manipulates him into prescribing her drugs. Frank gets entangled in the plot of drugs, deception, and murder when Susan's boyfriend, Duane (Scott Caan), comes into the picture.

Duane, a dental student who dropped out of college, turns out to be Susan's partner in crime. They've been conning dentists, and Frank becomes their next target. Duane begins a relationship with Jean and steals drugs from Frank's office, leaving him with no choice but to report it to the police. However, when the authorities investigate, Frank's record fails to hold up to scrutiny, and he is suddenly a suspect in the thefts.

Frank's life spirals out of control as he gets more involved with his patients, trying to cover up his mistakes and prove his innocence. He ultimately makes decisions that get him caught up in the dangerous world of drug trafficking and murder.

The film's black comedy elements are prominent as Frank struggles to cope with the consequences of his actions. The theme of duality pervades the storyline as Frank is torn between his professional and personal lives, and his place in society is questioned. The movie portrays how one man's fall from grace can have a severe impact on everyone's life around him.

Steve Martin's performance in Novocaine is a departure from his usual roles, depicting a darker and more complex character. His acting is convincing and captivating, as he seamlessly portrays the struggle and contradictions of Frank's character. Helena Bonham Carter is equally impressive, playing a seductive and manipulative woman, who adds depth to the story with her nuanced performance.

The movie's direction and cinematography are notable, with the use of startling camera angles and close-ups, adding to the suspense and tension of the movie's theme. The soundtrack is a mix of jazz, rock, and pop, creating a unique blend of genres that helps build the movie's mood.

Overall, Novocaine is an intriguing and thrilling movie, providing audiences with twists and turns, unexpected character developments, and unpredictable outcomes. The movie explores the psychology of its characters in a realistic manner, presenting their motivations and fears that drive them to make the choices they do. The film creates a powerful impact, showing how a simple mistake can have catastrophic consequences, affecting not only oneself but others around them.

Novocaine is a 2001 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 45.