SMARTY PANTS WATCH THIS

"Sometimes smartest people have the most to learn"

This tagline attracted me really. I didn't really like it but I didn't like it either. But I guess the message of this movie is good though.

The selling point of this movie is no doubt Ellen Page (at least for me it is). If you don't know who Ellen Page is, I'll first knock you on your head ten times and then tell you that she is only one of the best actresses around. 

Her most memorable character is Juno! And if you don't know Juno, I'm sorry but you missed out on one of the best movies ever.

Some of you might like Sarah Jessica Parker, who is also in the movie. I'm never really a SJP fanand I am also not a fan of her character here either.

The movie is about an intelligent lecturer (played by Dennis Quaid) who is trying to get his life back together after his wife's death. So, he is the kind of guy who doesn't really care about getting to know people or anything, except being smart. Ellen Page plays his daughter, and basically, all she cares about is also to be smart since her dad is her role model.

There is seriously nothing wrong with being smart or clever when some people get too smart, they become pompous and indirectly obnoxious. I mean, I'm sure most of us hates the 'know-it-all's right who seems to know everything and intimidates people for their  'lack of knowledge'. Fortunately, I never really have a friend like this but I sure know what it is like to feel intimidated and stupid.

Ellen Page's character is the 'know-it-all' but she doesn't know why people don't like her. Although she acts and talks as if she doesn't care about not being likeable, she is in fact upset and insecure about the fact that she is hated. 

She likes her uncle, who seems to like her and so she sort of 'fell' in love with her uncle, most likely because he's like the only guy whom she feel like her. I think if all your life, you've only had one person who treats you nice, you're likely to misunderstand the gesture and fall in love with that person.

Ellen Page's character is one I feel so sorry for because her  dad doesn't appreciates her. She's beyond clever and she does all the housework but she doesn't get enough credit and attention. In fact, it was her "scum bag" uncle who cared for her and pointed out to her father her worth. She was scared that no one loves her, but she hid that fear. She asked her uncle if he hates her at the end of the movie and you realise how insecure she felt and that all she wanted was love. She is sad that she doesn't click with people and defence mechanism was to hate others back, making her a 'hater'. Of course in the end, her dad talked to her and I believe she changed?

Dennis Quaid's character is plain stupid, though he is supposed to be smart. But I feel that SJP's character is worst. I'm assuming that she is supposed to be smart also since she's a doctor in the movie. 

I seriously don't get Dennis Quiad's character and I personally think his character wasn't well-developed. First of all, he was supposed to love his wife so much but I feel he fell in love with SJP too fast.

I also don't get the deal with the book. I guess the writer wants to show that Dennis has changed from someone who cares so much about his dignity and being right to someone who takes it easier in life - one who would let people criticize and laugh about his book.

I was also not given the touching and inspirational ending between him and his son and daughter (whom he didn't get along with at the beginning) that I hoped for. All they highlighted were pictures of him and his two new twins. I guess it showed a happy family but I'm not impressed.

SJP's character is definitely my least favourite because she has all these annoying mood-swings and these are the type of 'girls' I try not to hang out with. Her character, besides being the one who has 'changed' Dennis, is pointless. There were moments in the film when I completely fail to understand what she's thinking, what she's doing and why she's doing it. If anyone can personally enlighten me on her character, feel free to share because honestly, with that kind of attitude, I really don't know how Dennis Quaid is able to fall so deeply in love just after two dates. Okay, maybe it's because she looks like SJP.

Okay, if I were to give justice to  her character, I'd say that the writer wants to highlight the fact that smart doctors like SJP in the film also has flaws, hence the mood swings and being ridiculously temperamental.

Even though I love Dennis Quaid in "The Parent Trap", I think the whole point of this movie is Ellen Page. Without her playing the character Vanessa, seriously, this movie will be a waste of time and I'll probably kill my brother for making me sit through the movie. Thanks for saving the movie (and my bro's life), Vanessa.

I think overall, one may say that the main message being conveyed through this 90-minute worth of film is that brains is not everything. In fact, if you are not brainy but you have good people skills, you can survive anywhere. Being intelligent alone might not get one anywhere. 

In fact, the 'scum bag' aka Dennis Quaid's brother actually managed to inspire and change the so-called 'smart people'. So really, what exactly does 'smart' means ya. I guess you can also be street-smart.

Personally, I always believe that success is not just the string of As, but also the communication and interpersonal skills and character. I think my dad and mum taught me well, I really do. My parents are great parents, with the right attitude to success. Though I might not always agree with what they say, and is reluctant to do what they tell me to, I know that there are a lot of truth in their words. I'm really not there yet, but I believe that my parents had so far led me well. I mean, the worst I did in life was tell a few lies - I think I can live with that.

I do well in school because I memorise a lot but I'm not really a book smart; but neither am I a street smart person. I'd even say I can be pretty dumb sometimes but I guess I get by in life. Maybe we all are 'smart' to a certain extent. Different people are smart in different ways. Sometimes, we get inspired and are taught lessons by those everyone refers to as 'dumb'. So never underestimate anyone's intelligence.

TC-My Ratings: