A dentist’s life is not a happy one. At least not in Novocaine. I’m puzzled, though, about how to classify Steve Martin’s new movie. Is it a comedy? A mystery? A crime drama? Mixing elements from each of these genres, this unconventional film held my interest with its involving twists and turns. But I also found little to laugh about while watching a dentist’s life unravel after becoming involved with a sexy drug addict. I did, however, chuckle once or twice at Helena Bonham Carter’s quirky performance as a flawed femme fatale. Still, with her straggly hair and those dark circles under her eyes, she comes across more pitiful than amusing.

Martin (Bowfinger) played a dentist once before, and hilariously. His leather-jacketed, sadistic, Hell’s Angels take on that profession in Little Shop of Horrors remains one of my favorite Steve Martin roles. Novocaine’s dentist is something quite different. He’s professional, conducts business in a busy clinic, and employs efficient support personnel. His assistant, portrayed by Laura Dern (Jurassic Park III), appears to have everything well organized for him. All prim and proper in her white surgical coat, this talented actress impressed me with her convincing portrayal of an obsessive-compulsive individual. Trying to be "Miss Perfect," she insists on placing objects in their right places, even her stuffed animals. But Martin has no complaints. He depends on Dern, who’s also his lover.

How could someone so normal find himself in the midst of a drug investigation and suspected of murder? As Martin’s character explains, "It all began with one small lie and everything unraveled from there --- like a cavity, the lies were deepening and spreading."

His lie, of course, involves his relationship with Carter (Fight Club), a new patient who seduced him and stole all his drugs.

More complications develop when Martin’s crude brother, played by Elias Koteas, fresh from starring as Gary Gilmore in t.v.’s A Shot in the Head, comes back into his life. I’m shocked at the way Koteas usually looks on screen. He photographs like such a shady character, reminding me of the great Humphrey Bogart in his early films. Having met Koteas in person at the Telluride Film Festival this year, I know how handsome and gentlemanly he is in real life. In Novocaine, Koteas projects a lethal combination of irresponsibility, stupidity, and lack of morals. Because he’s so skilled as an actor, I believed he really was bad news during his time on camera.

Finding Kevin Bacon (Hollow Man) in a small role here surprised me, but I was delighted with his humorous cameo as a self-centered actor who goes undercover with the police to obtain material for his new movie. And Scott Caan (Gone in 60 Seconds) does a fine job as Carter’s brother, an obnoxious bully. Yelling and pushing people around seemed to give this character so much pleasure. How I loathed him!

Although root canals, dental X-rays, and tooth extractions are not usually considered high drama, they certainly add to the suspense of Novocaine. New director David Atkins, who also co-wrote the screenplay, wanted to make sure technical aspects of dentistry were accurate in his first movie, so he consulted with several members of his own family who just happen to be dentists. I wonder if any of them actually show films to their patients while working on their teeth --- like Martin does in Novocaine. (I think I’ll demand this civilized technique from my own dentist.)

Novocaine may not be one of the best movies of the year, but I enjoyed it. Excellent performances, an involving mystery, and a wonderful surprise ending make this unusual film worth seeing.

(Released by Artisan Entertainment and rated "R" for violence, sexuality, language, and drug content.)