Novocaine

"Getting to the root of the problem is like pulling teeth."

2001 1h 35m EN

😐

6.1

MID

★6.1TMDB · 170

ComedyCrimeThriller

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A dentist finds himself a murder suspect after a sexy patient seduces him into prescribing her drugs.

“Getting to the root of the problem is like pulling teeth.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Steve Martin
Frank Sangster
Helena Bonham Carter
Susan
Laura Dern
Jean Noble
Lynne Thigpen
Pat
Chelcie Ross
Mike
Polly Noonan
Sally
JoBe Cerny
Pharmacist Wayne Ponze
Elias Koteas
Harlan Sangster

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: David Atkins
Writers: David Atkins
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 34% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

25 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by David Atkins, shot by Vilko Filač. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Danny Elfman. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Melody London shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Steve Martin and Helena Bonham Carter and Laura Dern carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Getting to the root of the problem is like pulling teeth.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0234354 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

David Atkins directs. Vilko Filač behind the camera. Danny Elfman scores. Melody London cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 34% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
225 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Directed by David Atkins, shot by Vilko Filač. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Danny Elfman. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Melody London shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Steve Martin and Helena Bonham Carter and Laura Dern carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Getting to the root of the problem is like pulling teeth.".
8IMDB entry: tt0234354 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.