by John D. Bess
Daily Lobo
"The Secret Lives of Dentists" is not your typical Hollywood fare - unfortunately, that doesn't necessarily mean it's a winner.
A slow but steady black comedy about a married pair of dentists coming to grips with an affair, this film trudges through the story line like a three-legged ant through molasses.
The most pressing moments in the film revolve around Campbell Scott's husband/father character shelving his inner turmoil about his wife's affair to care for various family members.
Odd as it may seem, this is exactly the point of the movie - real life is mundane, yet terrible things still occur.
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This is not a story about illicit sex or jealous rage. This is a tale of perseverance. It is a slow burn of reluctant admittance, acceptance and resignation that might leave audiences suffocated.
What you really want is for this poor stooge to get mad, lash out, throw something and then seek revenge. But that's not how a reasonable, loving father of three and a staid medical professional would deal with it in real life, supposedly.
Instead, he quietly wrestles his inner demons while he allows his wife the time to sort it all out for herself.
Not that this film is all flat effects and listless dialogue, though there is plenty of both. Instead the monotony is punctuated by surreal visuals and interesting musical choices. The only other upside to all the dreariness is the voice of anger and contempt in Campbell's head, which emerges as a hilarious, foul-mouthed, beer-swilling jazz musician played wonderfully by Dennis Leary.
Juxtaposed against the understated refinement and halting reservations of Campbell's character, the two show extremes we all have within us.
One technical item must be noted. The boom mic dips into the frame so often it should get its own line in the credits. Really, I stopped counting after the twentieth time.
See this movie if you're a fan of either Dennis Leary or Scott Campbell, you're a fan of "Punch-Drunk Love" or you're a fan of boom mics in general.
Otherwise just go to your own dentist, sit in the waiting room for two hours, then ask for a small dose of laughing gas with a root canal chaser. You'll get the same effect.
