KSL Movie Show review: ‘Novocaine’ is fun, unless you have pain empathy

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SALT LAKE CITY — I believe I’ve just experienced a sensation I would call pain empathy. Which is ironic, because the main character in this movie, Nathan Caine — played by Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan’s son Jack Quaid — cannot feel any.

I winced, scowled and tensed up many times while watching this movie. It was not comfortable and I feel guilty for chuckling at a number of scenes where Nathan experiences physical trauma. Bad Stevie!

In real life, congenital insensitivity to pain, or CIP, is no laughing matter, because feeling physical pain is vital to survival and without it, can create an extremely dangerous situation for the one inflicted with it.

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To the film’s credit, somewhat, it shows Nathan taking extraordinary precautions to protect himself against unsuspecting harm. He’s basically trapped in a shell, kind of like the Bubble Boy, unable to experience life as others have, mainly because he’s afraid of what might happen.

But then he meets a young woman, Sherry (Amber Midthunder), who works as a teller in the same Savings & Loan where Nate is the assistant manager.

She tries to free him from his isolation by inviting him to a diner that makes the best pie she’s ever eaten. He reluctantly agrees to go and experiences the joys of dessert for the first time in his life.

How sad is that?

He begins to realize, as long as he’s careful, he can live a semi-normal life full of love and even intimacy. 

However, that joy is short-lived, when his bank is robbed and Sherry is taken hostage. These robbers are ruthless as several people are shot and killed, including a number of police officers responding. 

Not cool. 

With thoughts of safety out the window, Nate picks up a handgun, jumps in a bullet-ridden police car and goes in hot pursuit.

Now suddenly, Nate has no regard for his personal well-being. He’s all in on finding the bank robbers and getting Sherry back safe and sound.

In the meantime, authorities believe Nate is part of this thieving bunch, as clues suggest it looks like an “inside job.” Undaunted, he continues to search for clues, including finding an address that could lead him closer to Sherry’s abductors, only this house makes the “Home Alone” security booby traps feel like a stroll in the park, but filled with even more deadly weapons.

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Yes, it’s funny, I laughed a lot and I’m not proud of myself — but it is just a silly movie, right?

To further lighten the mood, he seeks the help of a gamer pal he’s never actually met in person. It’s Spider-Man’s high school buddy Ned (Jacob Batalon) who comes to the rescue reluctantly.

So if you can look beyond the seriousness of someone with CIP having some fun with their condition, you’ll likely get a kick out of this film.

If you can’t and feel a severe case of pain empathy every time something shocking happens, you’ll probably want to skip it.

“Novocaine” (B-) Rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images and language throughout. Starring Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Jacob Batalon and Betty Gabriel. Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen (“Villains” “Significant Other”) – filmed in Cape Town, South Africa. Running time: 110 minutes.

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.