The Secret Lives of Dentists

Critics Consensus

A witty and honest look at marriage in decay.

85%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 95

58%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 2,975
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Movie Info

A gentle man suddenly finds himself at a loss for what to do when he suspects his wife has been unfaithful in this comedy drama from director Alan Rudolph. David and Dana Hurst (Campbell Scott and Hope Davis) are a married couple with three children who also happen to be dentists who share an office. David is a quiet and reserved sort, while Dana has been quietly but obviously unhappy with things recently. Backstage at a community theater production, David sees Dana in the arms of another man and is immediately certain she's having an affair, a suspicion only deepened by her continued dark mood, long periods of silence, and frequent trips out of the house. Slater (Denis Leary) is a disgruntled patient of the Hursts who has gone public with his unhappiness over their work; as David tries to work out Slater's differences, Slater becomes a frequent (and not always welcome) visitor in David's home. As he observes the obvious tension in David and Dana's relationship, Slater begins offering his own gruff brand of advice to David -- including acting cooler and informing Dana "I could kill you" at the dinner table. Co-produced by leading man Campbell Scott, The Secret Lives of Dentists was based on the novel The Age of Grief by Jane Smiley.
  • Rating:
    R (for sexuality and language)
  • Genre:
    Art House & International, Comedy, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Alan Rudolph
  • Written By:
    Craig Lucas
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $3,637,833
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Manhattan Pictures International

Cast

Campbell Scott
as David Hurst
Hope Davis
as Dana Hurst
Denis Leary
as Slater
Robin Tunney
as Laura
Peter Samuel
as Larry
Jon Patrick Walker
as Mark
Gianna Beleno
as Lizzie Hurst
Lydia Jordan
as Stephanie Hurst
Cassidy Hinkle
as Leah Hurst
Adele D'Man
as Carol
Kathleen Kinhan
as Virgin
Sara Lerch
as Virgin
Lori Mirabel
as Virgin
Mark Ethan
as Conductor
Flora Martinez
as Female Patient
J. Tucker Smith
as Handsome Patient
Kevin Carroll
as Dr. Danny
Kate Clinton
as Elaine
Herbert Ade
as Male Patient
Aisha de Haas
as Policewoman
Susie Essman
as Nurse
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Critic Reviews for The Secret Lives of Dentists

All Critics (95) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (81) | Rotten (14)

View All Critic Reviews (95)

Audience Reviews for The Secret Lives of Dentists

  • Sep 25, 2012
    Not too popular on the fan metre but I actually enjoyed this film.There is a nice natural feel to the characters brimming with honesty.
    John B Super Reviewer
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