Raising Genius

This is not "black comedy", nor any kind of comedy for that matter. This is also not entertainment. Who ever thought that having Justin Long locked in a bathroom, with his twisted Mother on the other side, screaming at each other would be entertaining? The redundant plot is neither creative, or clever, but is a plenty boring. Fine actors are totally wasted, Ed Begley Jr. and Stephen Root, especially. For a "black comedy" to succeed, it must be outrageous, which this is not. For a "black comedy" to be entertaining, it must have at least one sympathetic character, which this does not. For a "black Comedy" to succeed, it must be funny, which this certainly is not. Quite simply this is not "black comedy". Avoid at all costs. - MERK

A fun quirky ride down the entrails of humor. Perhaps today's version of Harold and Maude. I am not certain that there is a normal person in the film at all. The young man with hormones on fire for a cheerleader and another portion of his brain juggling equations to find balance - is perhaps more common as a metaphor in today's world of indulged youth and pampered realities.

It is a fun gallop with a myriad of notable actors and actresses. This is a slice of today's world seen through the eye of a gifted director Bess Wiley. Ms. Wiley has worked the camera with some of today's best directors and she directs this soon to be cult classic with inventive camera angles and a flair for art and drama.

If you enjoyed Harold and Maude, you will love this film. I even like this film better than the 1971 film directed by Hal Ashby.

This film had so many basic movie 101 flaws; it was just a mess. The premise of the genius teenage son who locks himself into the bathroom, (surrounded by family, friends, and neighbors who are by no means helpful) seems to be a good enough start. And certainly with the talented cast involved, I thought for sure this movie couldn't go wrong. However, with a very inconsistent narrative style (voice overs from multiple characters that drop in randomly, serving no purpose other than to cover story gaps), the ever switching p.o.v. (who's story was this? Mom's? Son's?) and the confounding love-like-hate relationship with Mom and Son (are we suppose to sympathize with them, hate them, laugh at them, love them, like them?), this movie elicited nothing from me other than confusion, and the question, "What was I supposed to get from this?"

Unless you are a hardcore Justin Long fan, do not bother watching this overwrought, pretentious garbage. Ooooh! Look at me! I'm a "black" comedy! Hold on a second...shouldn't any type of comedy be at least somewhat amusing? Yes, the situations were comedic, but that doesn't cut it by itself. The characters' eccentricities cried out "Plot contrivance!" Everyone seemed extremely one-dimensional, which does not play well in a movie striving to make a point (beat a dead horse) about modern life/society. Poorly written and acted(Did somebody owe Ron Howard some money? How else do you explain the presence of Clint?). Justin Long must have some inside info on some Hollywood bigwigs to continue getting acting gigs; in this particular film, he outdoes himself with a horrible performance. Do not bother!

Just saw this film at a festival--

Really, really kooky and wonderful!! What a great cast, too. Everyone was funny. Wendie Malick did her usual thing, which is always funny.

Ed Begley Jr. and Marc DeCarlo were great in supporting roles, as was the trampoline jumping cheerleader (Danica McKellar).

Stephen Root seemed to reprise his "Office Space" role, but hey, it was funny. And Justin Long sort of did an impersonation of Stephen Root in "Office Space." But it was actually REALLY funny.

This movie just keeps taking left turns into kookiness that somehow, someway, TOTALLY works. I give it a thumbs up.