The Dentist

REVIEW
Rather than being a Dr. Giggles-like slasher movie, this ambitious but failed project is more along the lines of a psychological thriller with teeth. Bernsen stars as a successful dentist with a beautiful wife, luxurious home and lucrative practice. This, however, is all an illusion, as he's slowly losing it all. While there is some effective satire, the film unfortunately concentrates too much on the collapse of the doctor's mind. Fans expecting a slasher pic will be sorely disappointed. Dentistry was more chilling in Marathon Man and the abuse of the medical profession was more deeply examined in Dead Ringers. This movie is more like celluloid novocaine. (Sequel: The Dentist 2)