I am a proud card-carrying fan of director Brian Yuzna and co-writer Stuart Gordon (along with their little mentioned Lovecraftian-adapting sidekick Dennis Paoli).  For me, they are the latter day Cormans of the B-movie industry.  Though nothing either has done since Re-Animator has got close to holding a light to aforementioned cult classic, I continue to search out their films with the hope that, perhaps, another spurt of inspiration might hit but nonetheless sit down each time knowing there will be a dose (how much depends on which is directing) of dark humor if not an entertaining narrative to go along with it.  With this said, The Dentist is one of the duo’s weaker efforts but is arguably worth the visit just for the trademark Gordon/Yuzna style. 

   The film begins with Doctor Alan Feinstone (Corbin Bernsen) getting ready to go into his highly successful dentistry practice.  It is obvious from the beginning he is a Type-A but his wife, Brooke (Linda Hoffman) quickly thwarts his OCD with a premature anniversary gift.  However, before he gets out the door, he may or may not have caught Brooke engaging in her own oral practice upon the pool boy, Matt (Michael Stadvec).  Regardless if they were going at it or the affair was merely a figment of his anal-retentive imagination, Alan suffers from an instant case of extreme Pavlovian association when he spots sludge from the pool filter, by way of Matt, on his wife.  As a result, he becomes the harbinger of purity, seeking out decay and, even when he finds cleanliness, riding the world of that as well before it has an opportunity to become tainted. 

   This does indeed sound to be the framework for a great little satire but it doesn’t come off as well as it should given its premise even though Corbin does play it up a bit with situations such as striking the bargain with a patient that he won’t kill her if she vows never to eat candy and to brush trice daily.  Unfortunately, the pacing, lighting, and cinematography are lacking and the film suffers as a consequence.  Even a supporting part by none other than Ken Foree as a detective couldn’t bring the film back up to the speed we are accustomed to seeing the dynamic duo operate but, given what the film is attempting to do, it continues to putt along better than the typical horror comedy.

   In regard to horror, I will grant that the premise housed the potential to hit a nerve (sorry, couldn’t resist) and, at times, I did indeed find myself flinching as I’m sure most would on general, empathetic principle but, aside from the Marathon Man-esque dentistry, the horror stops once out of the chair.  However, there are enough scenes with patients penned down to make the film another noteworthy, albeit lesser, addition to the Gordon/Yuzna catalogue. 

   Oh, and watch out for a young Mark Ruffalo playing the role of a modeling agent/borderline pimp.

-Egregious Gurnow

The Horror Review © Copyright 2005/2006 - Present. All rights reserved.

All Reviews on this website are strictly the opinion of The Horror Review team and do not express the opinion of any one else but their own.

 All films reviewed are copyrighted with their respected owners and the United States Copyright Office.

 Please do not take anything from this site without the permission of The Webmaster