Raising Genius

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.

I think some previous user comments have missed the point. This movie is not so much about the son, Hal, as it is about the mother, Nancy.

This movie kind of reminds me of the TV program "Malcom in the Middle" except this is a family with an only child(adolescent). The characters are over-the-top caricatures, each with a few quirks we can relate to. Hal wants to hide from the expectations put on him finishing high school, and his mother doesn't know how to control her son anymore, or take control of her own life. And the father doesn't even know what's going on. Other comical roles by the typical psychologist, grandma, aunt, friends & neighbours. It's not a great movie, but well-enough crafted, with a fresh look, and the actors are entertaining (it's fun to see Justin Long, the Mac guy, in the role of Hal). I certainly had a few good laughs (being a middle-aged mother myself.... maybe it's a "chick flick").

I cant even get thru this movie. It does keep my interest...I walked away to do dishes.

I agree with the first comment in that the movie needs to make up its mind as to whether it's serious or comedic. However, overall, I did enjoy it. I found certain parts so eccentric that it was WILDLY funny, though in a horribly twisted manner. I laughed until my sides hurt at the bathroom scene when his mother picked the lock...but I won't say anymore about it. The only problem I had was that the sex scene did not seem to fit in well with the rest of the movie. I think it should have focused more on Hal's reactions than the actual sex. However, the rest of the film certainly makes up for it. Just keep in mind that the movie was rated R for a reason.

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!