Novocaine: A Hilarious Twist on Action and Romance Without the Grimness!

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Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, who grew up with a deep affection for the action-packed films of the ’80s, particularly “Midnight Run,” “Lethal Weapon,” and “Die Hard”, came across a unique screenplay titled “Novocaine“. In this story, a gentle man named Nate is unable to feel pain, yet finds himself in a situation where he must rescue his love from ruthless bank robbers. Enthused by the concept, they decided to infuse the script with the humor and emotional depth that characterized their beloved classics.

Olsen notes that these movies are both hilarious and serious at the same time, never sacrificing their plot’s importance for humor. Unlike typical comedies, they genuinely care about their characters and allow us to get to know them well.”

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“What makes those films stand out for Olsen is their ability to be funny while still maintaining tension. They don’t just focus on comedy at the expense of character development; instead, we get to know and care about their protagonists.

Fortunately, filmmakers Berk and Olsen, known for their work on movies like the 2019 horror comedy “Villains” and the 2022 sci-fi film “Significant Other”, have been given a chance to contribute to the script. Their additions injected a touch of humor that is sure to draw in viewers. The revised version of “Novocaine”, which premieres in theaters this Friday through Paramount Pictures, is their handiwork.

Olsen explains that the blend was essential since the content is filled with gruesome violence. If humor wasn’t incorporated, it might veer into excessive or even torturous territory. They often say that if the character were to express pain like Giovanni Ribisi in ‘Saving Private Ryan’, each time he was hurt, you wouldn’t want to keep watching. However, since the character can’t actually feel pain, and many instances of violence are followed by a joke, it allows the audience to laugh.

I was instrumental in shaping the unique blend of grisly violence and humor in our film, as the responsibility for executing this balance fell squarely on my shoulders. From the very beginning, Jack Quaid emerged as our ideal lead actor, a notion that became increasingly clear after observing his captivating performance in “The Boys.” Berk and I recognized an infectious energy in his everyday comic performances, which led us to believe he was the modern-day equivalent of Tom Hanks. However, mastering this role required an unusual array of talents.

According to Olsen, Jack needed to recondition his response to physical attacks so he wouldn’t automatically react. Typically, as an actor, you’re taught to exaggerate the impact of a punch, but when actually hit, you instinctively flinch or wince. To overcome this, Jack collaborated with our stunt coordinator, Stanimir Stamatov, in order to unlearn this behavior.

Regardless of Nate’s unusual lack of sensitivity to pain, Berk and Olsen were diligent in ensuring that the storyline of the movie remained realistic, even as the scenarios grew increasingly intense.

As a passionate admirer, I’d rephrase it like this: “I made it clear that our protagonist isn’t a superhero. Instead, we planned to test the limits of human endurance, as every action film does. However, we aimed to keep things somewhat plausible within our movie’s rules. Consequently, our stunt team meticulously reviewed every single impact in the film and converted many head blows into body impacts. I didn’t want his face to resemble mashed potatoes by the halfway point of the story!

Additionally, a tender love story running throughout the plot provided a contrasting and uplifting aspect, as character Nate endured numerous hardships in order to protect his beloved Sherry (portrayed by Amber Midthunder).

Berk expresses that they anticipate many viewers will leave the movie feeling more optimistic about humanity than when they arrived. He wants the film to linger in your mind a bit. It’s not just about the thrills and gore; there are definitely simpler versions of their movies, and they strive to steer clear of those.

Olsen explains, ‘Our films are created to be enjoyable with an uplifting atmosphere.’ Many of them delve into themes such as love and friendship, and even our more somber productions often touch upon these aspects.

In the end, Berk and Olsen successfully navigated the challenging project “Novocaine,” and if audiences respond positively, they’re eager for a follow-up, indicating the satisfaction and excitement they experienced while making their graphic film.

Olsen remarks, ‘We had an amazing time here, so we’d definitely return to re-experience this world.’ He describes the film set as being the most extraordinary one they’ve ever encountered. This is due to the exceptional actors who make the environment lively and enjoyable, much like an adult summer camp where camaraderie flourishes. At the end, there’s hugging, crying, and making new friendships.

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2025-03-15 02:18