by Missy Thompson

STAFF WRITER

Films that premiere at the Sundance Film Festival generally have a very independent feel. Big-name celebrities and in-demand actors turn from the big blockbuster hits to small, cheap projects that seem more meaningful to the actors, directors and everyone else involved.

The new dramatic-comedy "Smart People" opened at Sundance in January and Miramax snatched it up. It was a hit among audiences and critics at the festival, and now that it's coming to screens across America, a broader audience can appreciate its brilliant characterization.

Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Haden Church and new indie-darling and "Juno" star Ellen Page make up a terrific cast that turn an otherwise dull script into an entertaining film. "Smart People" is definitely character-driven and those characters overpower many of the slow parts of the film. I normally wouldn't think this particular cast would work together in a dramatic film, but they do.

The funny moments -- mostly taken by Church and Page -- aren't the same as the gut-busting hilarity that emanated from "Juno." However, they are more subtle to keep in tone with the rest of the film. Quaid's character, a widowed college professor, oozes with humor. Yet, it's difficult to read if that humor is intended to be funny or if he's really down on his luck.

In "Smart People," Lawrence Wetherhold (Quaid) is a self-absorbed, slightly crazy literature professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa. His son James (Ashton Holmes) also attends the university, writes poetry and generally doesn't get along with his father. Vanessa (Page), on the other hand, is a high school senior who adores her father, never gets in trouble and does everything she can to make fun of people she finds less intelligent than she is.

One night after another terrible parking job at James' dorm, Lawrence's car gets towed to the school's impound. The attendant on duty is a former student whom Lawrence does not remember. He eventually jumps a fence to retrieve a notebook from his car, and on his way back over, falls and hits his head, which causes a seizure that sends him to the hospital.

The emergency room attending on duty that night is Janet Hartigan (Parker), another former student who Lawrence doesn't recall. Because of Lawrence's seizure, he can't drive for six months. His adoptive brother Chuck (Church) has unexpectedly dropped by, which is both a blessing and a terrible thing for Lawrence and his family. Now, Lawrence will have a chauffeur but must put up with Chuck's antics for a few months.

During a check-up, Janet begins innocently flirting with Lawrence. That starts a whirlwind romance. Vanessa has a difficult time coping with his father dating someone she finds intellectually incompetent. She starts drinking and smoking illegal substances that eventually cause a rift in her relationship with Chuck. Then, Lawrence and Janet's relationship starts to get a little shaky, especially after Janet tells him she is pregnant.

"Smart People" is a smart movie that plays off its wonderful characters to create a great independent film. The only problem that might arise from this movie is a few uncomfortable scenes between Chuck and Vanessa. However, if it weren't filmed that way, the movie would not have been the same. "Smart People" isn't as similar to "Juno" as some make it out to be, but it does rely on its characters to carry the movie, which works well in this case.

missy@tooeletranscript.com

Grade: B+

Rated: R

Time: 95 minutes

Opens Friday