(Cyber)sex, (recreational) drugs and rock & (bowl): At the end of the day, ‘Grandma’s Boy’ is just another stupid stoner comedy
January 10, 2006
“Grandma’s Boy”
20th Century Fox
Directed by Nicholaus Goossen
Written by Barry Wernick, Allen Covert and Nick Swardson
Starring: Allen Covert, Linda Cardellini, Joel Moore, Nick Swardson and Doris Roberts
Rated R/106 minutes
Opened Jan. 6, 2006
Two-and-a-half out of four stars
Having grown up with a permanent thumb callus, I can relate to the arrested development of Alex (Allen Covert), a 36-year-old video game addict. His libido is split-wired into the sex he desires and the X-Box he plays.
In other words, that “Tomb Raider” gal helps him relieve stress in more ways than one.
Alex works for Brainasium, a game developer-cum-Never Never Land for 30-year-old lost boys. I can believe it when Jeff (Nick Swardson), one of Alex’s co-workers, hitches a ride with his mom after work, and the first thing he asks her is, “Did you remember to TiVo ‘Samurai Jack?'”
Less believable are the bong-hitting, booty-filled parties these guys throw. Like the buttoned-up babe who turns out to be a pot-craving, “Super Mario” champ (“ER’s” Linda Cardellini), these scenes feel more like a gamer’s wet dream than anything based in reality.
The movie is funnier when it deals with the peculiarities of its characters-namely J.P. (Joel Moore), an ace game-designer who dresses like a Matrix gunslinger.
Oh, the movie is called “Grandma’s Boy,” by the way-an awful title that has to do with Alex’s living arrangements. With a name like that, the movie will have a hard time reaching its audience: video gamers and potheads.
