“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.