- Title: Novocaine
- IMDb: link
Novocaine is an odd film that starts out as an awkward romantic comedy, turns sharply into a Heat-esque serious hardcore heist film, and then for the remainder becomes an adrenaline-fueled action film which could only be compared to something like Crank. It’s one of those films where the wild antics don’t so much take over the story but, for the majority of the film, simply are the story. At times, it’s a bit much for my tastes and could have taken more opportunity to pull back and let its actors (who are doing a good job) breathe.
Our lead character is Nate (Jack Quaid), an introverted assistant bank manager with a medical condition that makes it impossible for him to feel pain, a fact which becomes crucial to what follows. His simple, stress-free life is upended by a burgeoning relationship with a bank teller (Amber Midthunder) who is taken hostage during a bank robbery.
Throwing caution and reason to the wind, Nate goes after the crooks displaying a bit of zeal and recklessness he never knew he was capable of and piling up a series of wounds that, since he can’t feel them, refuse to slow him down. The police (Betty Gabriel and Matt Walsh), meanwhile, unable to make sense of his behavior, proceed under the mistaken assumption that he must be one of the robbers.
The best moments of the film fall into two categories. We get the intimate moments between Nathan and Sherry, some funny and some heartfelt, and then the film’s increasingly crazy action sequences which cover everything from street chases, torture, gun fights, and a brawl within a restaurant kitchen. Offering some help to Nate is an online gaming friend (Jacob Batalon), but for the most part he’s on his own in this wacky take on the everyman saving they day scenario. While I’m glad I saw it, Novocaine isn’t a film I’d likely seek out again despite it’s crazy stunts and nice performances from both Quaid and Midthunder all of which nearly drown in the film’s excess.
Watch the trailer
