Only a high-concept Hollywood screenwriter could take a disorder that feels no pain and make it the defining feature for a mild-mannered vigilante.

Quaid's leading role in Novocaine feels like a natural continuation of these genre-bent everymen. He plays Nathan Caine, a mild-mannered assistant bank manager who has congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA), a genetic disorder that impacts his nervous system to the point that he can't feel pain or temperature.

Building a strong narrative clearly took a backseat to inventing fun ways to take advantage of the hero’s rare medical condition.