The Secret Lives of Dentists (2002)

Director:

Alan Rudolph

Writers (WGA):

Jane Smiley (novel)
Craig Lucas (screenplay)

Release Date:

22 July 2004 (Argentina)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Flashback Sequence | Flu | Relationship Problems | Dysfunctional Family | Westchester Ny

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Campbell Scott	...	David Hurst
Denis Leary	...	Slater
Robin Tunney	...	Laura
Peter Samuel	...	Larry
Hope Davis	...	Dana Hurst
Jon Patrick Walker	...	Mark
Gianna Beleno	...	Lizzie Hurst
Lydia Jordan	...	Stephanie Hurst
Cassidy Hinkle	...	Leah Hurst
Adele D'Man	...	Carol
Kathleen Kinhan	...	Virgin
Sara Lerch	...	Virgin
Lori Mirabal	...	Virgin
Mark Ethan	...	Conductor
Flora Martínez	...	Female Patient (as Flora Martinez)

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and language.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:R | Argentina:16 | Chile:14 | Brazil:14 | Canada:14A | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Westchester County, New York, USA

Company:

Holedigger Films

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: There is a boom mike visible in the upper right of the screen in the scene where the father comes to check on the mother while she's sick in the bedroom. As the camera zooms in, the mike disappears from the frame.

Quotes:

Slater: Now, you should really listen to her because she is on the ball.
Leah: Nobody asked you, ya big slimebucket!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Anatomy of a Scene: The Secret Lives of Dentists" (????)

Soundtrack:

Lung Shadows

As Good As The Type Can Be

First of all, the casting was excellent. This was a difficult script to cast. The story and the characters are what they are. There are two dentists (husband & wife): dentistry like accounting has its stereotypes, but these characters as acted are "type."

The film is about marriage, and the preservation of family in the face of imperfection, disappointment, disillusionment, and reality. Family is good, but difficult. Marriage can be good, but is always challenging.

This story is as long and ponderous as the trials of life. The narration is great, with originality - especially for the brand of story. The subject matter is depicted with monstrous understanding. Only someone who hasn't struggled with glints of success through most of the parts of family and marriage, might not find understanding.

Comedy is rarely so genuine, and the humanity of this work is pervasive. 'Lives of Dentists' is not going to change society, but it may help a few marriages to re-evaluate, and a few families to re-connect.