[The Archive] ‘The Dentist’ (1996) “A Bloody Smile Awaits You”
No one wants to have to see a dentist. The pain they cause for an unseen problem that they promise is necessary. For all we know, they're a lunatic with a drill that wants your tongue out of the way. The Dentist (1996) is horror legend Brian Yuzna’s answer to why no one should ever go to the dentist. It’s a B-movie slasher that shows the most accomplished people can lose it all from one bad day.
Doctor Alan Feinstone is a successful dentist with his own business, a mansion, and a beautiful wife. This perfect life hides a rot within it. His crippling OCD has made him unbearable to his wife. He lashes out when theirs stains on his clothes, or finds an issue with any situation. It becomes no surprise she is cheating on him with the pool man. He witnesses the act at his own home. This pushes him to take out all his rage on his patients. His life will never be the same.
Neither will his victim’s smiles.
This film takes its time to get going. It takes 20 minutes till any dental horror happens. Once it does, it becomes distressing, creepy, and gruesome. The first time was with young Jody, who was having his first visit. Alan is shaken by what his wife has done. His focus is on her cruelty while he scrapes Jody’s teeth. He pierces the gum line. Blood is spraying. I couldn’t get enough of these scenes. They tapped into the primal fear of teeth problems. It didn’t have enough of them is the issue. Alan’s downfall is the plot's focus. I enjoyed seeing a man become a monster bent on proper oral care, but if he had been more consistent in his methods of killing, it would have solidified the transformation.
The acting stands out in this film. Corbin Bernsen as Dr. Alan Feinstone is chilling. He starts out modest and irritable. By the end, he’s a dastardly villain that monologs about purity. I loved the monologs. They showed how insane and self-absorbed Alan had become. “I’m an instrument of perfection and hygiene.” All he needed was a mustache to twirl. It’s impressive to see an actor give an effective performance to a low-budget project. Jan Hoag as Candy was memorable. Her scenes as the secretary felt realistic. She’s a nosy sweetheart that swears to know everything that goes on in the office. I loved the part when she’s crying to the detectives that Alan is a success with a happy marriage.
The film is sprinkled with other great actors like Earl Boen, Ken Foree, and Mark Ruffalo. Ken Foree as Detective Gibbs was marvelous. He isn’t given much screen time, but his character seems to be the only one not underestimating Alan. He compares cops to dentists as a necessary evil. Other characters face this issue where they aren’t given enough to do despite being interesting. They become meat for the body count.
This movie is either held back by its budget or the director's vision. It’s coming from the right place. Somehow it misses the point of having a Dental Killer. I wanted more of a focus on kills than exposition. It doesn’t help either that the score is bland stock scary music. The music was done by composer Alan Howarth who, even though he is accomplished, seems to have phoned it in.
Don’t watch this unless you don’t believe in dental floss. You will feel vindicated. It’s definitely for a niche horror audience. You’ll know what I mean once Dr. Feinstone shoots a dog. The Dentist (1996) is a mediocre movie by a legendary director.
I give it 5 root canals out of 10.
Words by: Mojorisen Andrew
