Celebrity brands are interesting if for no other reason than people age. With the release of ‘Smart People,’ Dennis Quaid and Sarah Jessica Parker seem to be searching for roles with more depth as both outgrow the youthful characters portrayed in silly films like ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ and ‘Failure to Launch.’ How the risk will pan out for both talented actors depends on the box office. Will the characters engage us or turn us off?

‘Smart People’ spins these two brands into sort of a reality comedy/drama. Parker doesn’t wear a lot of makeup in her role as an emergency room physician; nor does she come off in the manner of her chic TV persona from ‘Sex in the City.’ Quaid as a college professor looks rumpled and slightly overweight. The trailer offers a lot of promise for an entertaining movie that explores serious questions about coping with life after the death of a spouse and finding romance after those who love you have probably given up on your chances. The film also stars Ellen Page (‘Juno’) as the prof’s daughter and a very quirky, intriguing Thomas Haden Church as the prof’s adopted brother.

The movie critic at The Baltimore Sun gave it a B-, and Sizzling Popcorn gave it a ‘good’ which is the second best rating you can get. Other reviews are mixed, but the film is produced by the same producer of one of my all-time favorites, ‘Sideways,’ so I figure I’ll really enjoy seeing ‘Smart People’ if for no other reason than to see how two established celebrity brands work their way through what is essentially a new campaign for both.

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Filed under: Branding, Miscellaneous, Movie Review