Saturday, March 15, 2025

Movie Review: Novocaine

It turns out that the medical condition that the main character Nate, played by Jack Quaid called congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA), is a real and very rare condition. Producing a movie about something like this is at the very least an extremely unique idea, for an action movie. The downside of this is that Nate is stabbed, beaten, burned and almost killed nonstop throughout this movie.

Jack Quaid is the son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan and has been acting in mostly small movie roles for around 13 years. Recently, Quaid has broken through with two recent lead actor roles, the last film "Companion" released in February 2025. The career path for someone like Jack Quaid, who has all of the contacts and opportunities within what can be high-paying field is always easier, for the most part avoiding the many years of waiting tables and hoping for that first miracle break that so few in Hollywood ever find in their lifetime.

As far as this story, it's about a 30-year-old banker, Nate who falls in love with a co-worker, Sherry played by Amber Midthunder, and later tries to save her after she is kidnapped when three armed men rob the bank. While the story is simple, the many scenes of violence, and elaborate fight scenes Nate goes through to rescue Sherry are greatly enhanced because Nate can feel no pain. I thought the added problem Nate has with not being able to chew food (for fear of biting off his tongue) was too farfetched within this otherwise crazy action movie.

There is a surprise twist ending in this film that caught me by surprise and was very well done.

The Rotten Tomatoes ratings for this film are, this time around an accurate 82% and I recommend this movie for the good acting and original idea.

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