Reviews

Jack Quaid – the son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid – is having a stellar start to the year thanks to Companion and his latest film Novocaine.

In this action-comedy, he plays Nathan Caine, a bank employee who has a rare condition that makes him unable to feel pain.

While it often feels like a hindrance in his life, Nathan uses his disorder to his advantage when his crush, Sherry (Amber Midthunder), gets taken hostage by a gang of bank robbers the day after their first date.

Nathan’s condition gives directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen so much scope for action, violence and comedy. It’s all very far-fetched and ridiculous, but if you don’t scrutinise it too closely, you’ll have a great time.

Quaid is excellent at nailing the action and comedy at the same time. He’s a likeable and slightly nerdy guy who has no idea what he’s doing when thrust into this exceptional situation.

Nathan’s first fight scene, which takes place in a restaurant’s kitchen, is the best sequence by far. Nathan doesn’t want to fight or physically retaliate, so he lets himself get thrown around and severely beaten up – until he realises he needs to employ some self-defence.

Plus, since he’s not in pain, he’s able to hilariously offer quips while he’s being attacked.

While another sequence set in a Home Alone-style booby-trapped house is fun, none of the other setpieces live up to the first one.

The later ones are the most violent and bloody, and you have to suspend your belief that Nathan would be able to suffer so many injuries without needing a trip to the hospital.

Yes, he doesn’t feel pain, but surely he’s still affected by blood loss and major bodily trauma?! He’s not a superhero, after all.

However, you have to remember that this is a comedy and you’re not supposed to take any of it too seriously.

Overall, Novocaine is a highly entertaining ride that is best enjoyed in a crowd where you can gasp at the gore and laugh out loud all together.

In cinemas from Friday 28th March.

By Hannah Wales.

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