'Smart People" (R): With the star power attached to "Smart People," it's amazing how this expertly crafted and acted offbeat comedy was overlooked by audiences earlier this spring. But with its debut on DVD, chances are pretty good that audiences are going to discover a movie that's funny, poignant and yes, for the lack of a better word, smart.

Dennis Quaid stars as Lawrence Wetherford, a college literary professor known for his brutal classroom tactics and grumpy demeanor. But there's a reason for his attitude. He's a longtime widower who has never quite gotten over the death of his wife. But the students aren't the only ones affected by morose persona. His relationships with his college-aged son, James (Ashton Holmes), and a daughter, Vanessa ("Juno" Oscar nominee Ellen Page), on the verge of graduation are disconnected; he can't get his latest novel published; and he's hated by his professor colleagues.

Adding fuel to the fire is Lawrence's adopted brother, Chuck (Thomas Haden Church), a smart but underachieving slacker who needs to move in because he doesn't have the cash to rent his own place.

But life begins to turn around for when takes an unexpected trip to the emergency room and is treated by Dr. Janet Hartigan (Sarah Jessica Parker). It turns out Janet was a former student who had a crush on Lawrence, but also held a grudge. The circumstances allow Lawrence a chance to move on with his life and make the crazy life around him right – if he's smart enough to figure it out.

"Smart People" distinctly has the feel of director Curtis Hanson's wonderfully offbeat "Wonder Boys," where the lead character, a disheveled college professor (Michael Douglas) suffering a mid-life crisis tries to finish his next great novel in the midst of personal and professional turmoil (the film's brilliant ensemble includes Tobey Maguire, Robert Downey Jr., Rip Torn, Frances McDormand and Katie Holmes). It was a transforming role for Douglas, and it appears to have done the same for Quaid in "Smart People." Quaid walks, talks and lives the part of Lawrence, in what may be one of the best portrayals of his career.

The thing about Quaid's performances is that he never allows it to overshadow his talented co-stars. Quaid's got great chemistry with Parker, who turns in a wonderfully subtle performance, and he provides a great yang to yin of Page and Church's turns as a pair of odd ducks caught up in all of the madness.

Much like she is in "Juno," Page is a force to be reckoned with in "Smart People," bringing the same sort of whip-smart attitude to the role that gives the dialogue some extra spark. Church operates on the opposite end of the comedy spectrum, delivering lines in deadpan that are often laugh-out-loud funny.

All told, "Smart People" may not top "Wonder Boys," but it comes close. That's because, like the literary-themed comedy, "Smart People" doesn't play things by the book. Ah, if only more films would take that smart approach.

DVD Features: Deleted scenes, bloopers and outtakes, cast and filmmaker interviews, feature commentary with director Noam Murro and writer Mark Jude Poirer, and more. (Miramax Home Entertainment)