A profound little gem of a movie

A brilliant script, expert and subtle direction from one of my favorite directors, Alan Rudolph, and extraordinarily nuanced, exquisitely sensitive performances from Hope Davis and Campbell Scott (along with a devilishly superb turn by Denis Leary) make "The Secret Life of Dentists" live and breathe with aching depth, dazzling originality, acute perception and, above all, painful reality - the kind of reality that is so painful that the shock of recognition forces you to laugh. This is one dental appointment you won't regret showing up for.