Raising Genius

Story Line: Valedictorian and mathematical genius Hal (Justin Long) has locked himself in his parents' bathroom and refuses to come out—much to the chagrin of his mother (Wendie Malick), who mistakenly sees herself as the perfect wife and parent.

Bottom Line: Black comedies are tough to pull off, and Raising Genius doesn't quite hit the mark, frequently veering into creepy territory that isn't at all funny. The story mostly centers on the relationship between overbearing mother Nancy and her son, Hal, who loathes her outright and makes no secret of it. He can't even look at her without almost breaking into hives, which is why he has locked himself in the bathroom in the first place. ("I have an increased level of anxiety … and it's all your fault," he says at one point. Nancy counters with such lines as, "I will not let you dominate my life with your neurosis.") The subplot of Hal's obsession with the next-door neighbor cheerleader, Lacy (played by The Wonder Years' Danica McKellar), through his bathroom window only adds to the creepiness factor. The biggest, healthiest laughs come from a handful of game supporting performers, including cult favorite Stephen Root and veterans Tippi Hedren and Shirley Jones.