Cute and clever does not always translate into funny. The movie had numerous funny moments and lines, but it also spun its wheels at numerous times trying to get going. Perhaps the funniest line (plot spoiler) was near the end when Dennis Quaid asks, "Why would you have a baby with me?" Sarah Jessica Parker responds, "Because you don't know how to properly wear a condom." The movie is at its best when the daughter Ellen Page (I love her) or the adopted brother, Thomas Haden Church are on the screen. They are the real stars in this movie. The banter between Quaid and Parker is far less humorous, although clever and witty, which is hard to do. The movie also over uses a lame acoustical guitar soundtrack, a clear cry for help in an attempt to say "clever and witty." There are a few f-bombs but not overly so. The sex scenes are minor and do not last longer than teen sex.

Smart People (2008): Dir: Noam Murro / Cast: Dennis Quaid, Thomas Hayden Church, Ellen Page, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ashton Holmes: Comic drama about choices. It stars Dennis Quaid as a professor who is widowed and has two children. When his car is impounded he is left to trust his unreliable adopted brother who just arrived in town due to financial difficulties. Director Noam Murro does a fantastic job at detailing these relationships. Quaid is seen as withdrawn and remembering none of his students. Finally he finds romance and opportunity with a nurse as well as a new beginning. Thomas Haden Church plays his adopted brother who lacks ambition yet establishes a relationship with his niece that opens a new view on life. Sarah Jessica Parker plays a nurse whom was a former student of Quaid's. She is not there as a romantic prop but rather she opens his eyes to his flaws. Ellen Page plays his daughter deep in her studies yet her annoyance at Hayden Church branches into an evening of substance abuse placing him in a position of responsibility. Ashton Holmes plays Quaid's son who ends up bonding of sorts with Church when he Church needs a place to crash. Great cast and a screenplay that is well written and realistic in a way that is more natural than predictable. The film demonstrates our imperfections with the hopes of new beginnings. Score: 10 / 10

So basically, they just told Ellen Page & Sarah Jessica Parker to be themselves and for Dennis Quaid to go watch a few episodes of House (if he hadn't already) and be Hugh Laurie's character for Smart People. If it hadn't been for Uncle Chuck, played by Thomas Haden Church, this movie would have pretty much totally sucked for me. But then, i'm a Cheech & Chong fan and always loved Reverend Jim on Taxi too, so forget about it. I also think Ashton Holmes did well in this and deserved more recognition than he got. I will also say that Smart People has some pleasant scenery and a sweet score, always a plus.... and it does have a decent ending. The fact that some obviously dysfunctional stuff going on in the character's lives gets at all addressed makes it bearable to watch. Worth seeing one time, but not what i'd call a keeper.

Smart people doesn't have all that much originality. Dennis Quaid plays a professor, Sarah Jessica Parker plays a physician who was a former student of Quaid's. Ellen Page plays a Juno like character. And Thomas Hayden Church plays a loser. I told you there wasn't that much originality, but the movie works. The film focuses on a professor(Dennis Quaid) who gets injured one day. also in one day, he meets a doctor(Sarah Jessica Parker) who was a former student of his. Also, when he comes home, he sees that his adoptive brother (Thomas Hayden Church). He starts seeing this doctor and ignores his daughter(Ellen Page). Also, one night his daughter and brother get drunk and she starts to have feelings for him.Alright so there is a lot going on in the plot. This movie is really funny. To me, the humor mostly is from Thomas Hayden Church, and just the littlest things made me laugh in this film. Just read this right here. "What are you doing?" "Watching a documentary on Snow apes". I thought that was funny. So it's not a great movie but I can't help but give it a thumbs up. To me, it seemed like you didn't get that much from Sarah Jessica Parker. Ellen Page plays the same character she does in every movie she is in. But that is okay because I like that character. I liked this movie.Smart People:***/****