'Novocaine' review: Jack Quaid stars in spiffy action-comedy

Before you ask: Yes, congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis or CIPA, is real. Those who have the rare genetic disorder don’t flinch when burned, don’t gasp after eating hot sauce and can chew through their tongues by accident. They also have a woefully short life expectancy, around 25 years.

I read all that on Wikipedia, and mostly likely so did Lars Jacobson, the writer of "Novocaine." His hero, Nathan Caine, a mild-mannered guy with CIPA, either mentions or demonstrates all those traits. Nathan, however, has made it to 30, which is lucky for him — and lucky for us, too, because as played by a sparkling Jack Quaid, he’s one of the most likable, endearing underdogs to anchor an action-comedy in some time. In fact, "Novocaine" is a terrific example of its genre: funny, fast-moving and satisfyingly short, but patient enough to make sure we actually care about the people on screen.

In a series of rather tender opening scenes, we learn that Nathan grew up with overprotective parents who forbade solid food (he only drinks smoothies) and taught him to avoid all risk. Now he’s an assistant bank manager in San Diego whose only friend is an online video gamer. Enter Sherry (Amber Midthunder), a very hip, very cute new employee who coaxes our hero out of his shell. A first date leads to a first bite of cherry pie, which leads to what might be Nathan’s first sexual encounter. All are life-changing.

The next morning, three robbers in Santa Claus outfits burst into the bank, empty the vault and take Sherry hostage. What’s a man in love to do? Against his better judgment, Nathan grabs a gun, hops into a police cruiser and gives chase.

Here, directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen (indie veterans making their big-studio debut with this Paramount release), take their foot off the brake and floor it. The robbery is a pulse-pounder, and the subsequent action scenes range from the Looney Tunes-inspired (frying pans, booby traps) to the truly ghastly (snapped bones, brains on ceilings). By the time Nathan reaches the criminal mastermind Simon, nicely played by Ray Nicholson, you wouldn’t think he'd have any blood left to lose. You’d be wrong.

Quaid, on a roll this year following January’s "Companion," shines as a lovestruck dork finding his inner warrior, but the filmmakers also stop to flesh out minor characters like the overworked cops Mincy and Coltrane (Betty Gabriel and Matt Walsh, respectively). Even Sherry, the dream girl, gets a backstory. All that makes "Novocaine" a dark-humored comedy with a good heart — and the perfect pre-summer treat.

By Rafer Guzmán

rafer.guzman@newsday.com