THE SECRET LIVES
OF DENTISTS

Year: 2002
USA: Manhattan Pictures International
UK: Tartan Films
Cast: Campbell Scott, Hope Davis, Denis Leary, Robin Tunney, Gianna Beleno, Cassidy Hinkle, Lydia Jordan, Jon Patrick Walker, Kevin Carroll, Kate Clinton, Adele D'Man
Director: Alan Rudolph
Country: USA
USA & UK: 104 mins
USA Rated: R for sexuality and language
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language and moderate sex
USA Release Date: 1 August 2003 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 12 August 2005 (Limited Release - London, ICA)


Synopsis

In a blend of humor and realism, award winning director Alan Rudolph (AFTERGLOW, MRS. PARKER and the VICIOUS CIRCLE) employs this dental observation as a powerful metaphor about marriage and human relationships.

THE SECRET LIVES OF DENTISTS tells the story of Dr Dave Hurst (Campbell Scott), who shares a private clinical practice with his bright and attractive partner and wife Dr Dana (Hope Davis). Step by step, together, they have created their "dream life," raising three beautiful children, in their home and country house. But they are also opposites. Meditative and methodical, he is deeply attached to the family they have built. She, more passionate and spontaneous, is still seeking life's precious adventures.

Dana, an amateur soprano, pours her heart into a once in a lifetime opportunity to perform Verdi with a professional Opera company. Following the performance, she tells her husband through tears, she wishes she could sing the music forever. Dave suspects she is crying for a different reason. Unknown to her, Dave believes he has recently witnessed his wife in an intimate exchange with another man at the opera house.

Emotionally repressed by nature, Dave's jealousy causes him to fantasize conversations with his most difficult patient Slater (Denis Leary), allowing him to avoid confronting his wife. Slater, a hard living musician with a toothache, having recently been ejected by his own wife, adds a running commentary on Dave's personal conversations, churning up the dentist's deepest insecurities and pushing Dave to the more primal side of his nature.

During an untimely family dilemma, when the entire household succumbs to a raging flu, Dave runs himself ragged, until fevers die down and he relaxes, believing that family equilibrium has been restored. That night, Dana does not come home. Slater goads the quiet dentist toward the brink of revenge.

THE SECRET LIVES OF DENTISTS prods at the complexities, paradoxes, and tender beauties of marriage. Illuminated by the performances of the film's stars Campbell Scott (ROGER DODGER), Hope Davis (ABOUT SCHMIDT), THE SECRET LIVES OF DENTISTS is an insightful and complete human portrait of a couple caught in the mistakes two people can make. Denis Leary (JESUS' SON, THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR) and Robin Tunney (THE WEDDING PARTY, VERTICAL LIMIT) round out the cast of this universal tale of a perfect couple at a crossroads in their relationship. The screenplay is based on "The Age of Grief," the best selling novella by Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley, adapted for screen by celebrated playwright and screenwriter, Craig Lucas (PRELUDE TO A KISS).