Raising Genius

This is a satire that is usually more strange than entertaining. The idea had potential, and the actors have talent, but sadly it fails to deliver. The main character, Hal, is a kid with OCD who is afraid to leave the bathroom. Hal is played by Justin Long, who seems to be doing a bad impression of Milton Waddams from Office Space (one of my favorite movies). Unfortunately Hal is not half as funny Milton. Hal's father is played by Stephen Root, who played Milton in Office Space. Stephen takes his role seriously, and gives a good performance, but he's not funny - he's serious. Wendie Malick also plays her role well, but again in a serious way. The only funny character in this movie is the eccentric grandmother. The theme is there - people with misplaced values taking life too seriously and making themselves miserable. But it's just not entertaining.. It's weird. Basically the movie has an identity crisis. Sometimes it tries to be funny, and sometimes it tries to be serious, but overall it fails at both.

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 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

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?"

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