Comedy,Drama,Romance
United States of America
Smart People is a 2008 comedy-drama film directed by Noam Murro. The movie revolves around the life of Lawrence Wetherhold, a professor of English literature at Carnegie Mellon University, who is a widower and a single father to his teenage daughter Vanessa (Ellen Page) and his adopted brother Chuck (Thomas Haden Church). Lawrence's life is entirely consumed by his work, and his blunt personality and lack of social skills make it challenging for him to connect with the people in his life, including his family.
After an accident sends him to the emergency room, Lawrence realizes that he needs help in his personal life. He meets and develops a romantic connection with Janet (Sarah Jessica Parker), a former student of his who is now a doctor. Meanwhile, Vanessa starts to rebel against her father's overly critical nature and secretive demeanor, leading her to become more independent and explore her own interests.
As Lawrence's love life and family relationships grow more complicated, he begins to question the choices he's made in his life and the priorities he's placed on work over personal connections. Through trial and error, Lawrence learns to be more open-minded and compassionate towards his loved ones.
Smart People is a charming and witty film that highlights the struggles of modern-day intellectuals and the importance of family and relationships. The talented ensemble cast delivers stellar performances, particularly Quaid, who brings depth and nuance to his role as the flawed but likable protagonist.
