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

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 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.

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.

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.