Review of Mama's Boy (2007) by Ronnie B — 17 Jun 2008

Mamas Boy.

2007.

Comedy.

Rated: PG-13.

Running Time: 94 minutes.

Starring: Jon Heder, Anna Faris, Diane Keaton, Jeff Daniels.

Directed By: Tim Hamilton.

Rating: 2 out of 10.

Outline.

A 29 year old man attached to his mom in an unhealthy way finds his lifestyle in jeopardy when his mom starts dating a new man.

Review.

Mamas Boy is a comedy with out laughs or even the potential for laughs. It is a movie about a kid who after the death of his father cannot separate himself from his mom. The male lead Jeffrey Mannus played by Jon Heder of Napoleon Dynamite fame might have just had his last run at the movies. He is what makes this movie as bad as it is with his disfigured mouth and awkward delivery he inspires nothing in the way of laughs and drags this movie out through stupid reactions and stupid dialogue. Jeffreys mom Jan played by Diane Keaton finds a romantic interest in Mert Rosenbloom played by Jeff Daniels. I found this to be the only bright spot to this film. Not to say it is funny but more the easy familiarity between Keaton and Daniels allows for some upbeat film watching. After several weeks of dating Mert moves in with Jan and Jeffrey and you guessed it Jeffrey is not happy at the prospect of losing his mom and house to a stranger. The film completely degenerates from this point on and basically turns into a stupid revenge scenario movie. Jeffrey does things like cutting the backseat out of Merts pants and stashing drugs in his clothes drawers. While Mert sabotages Jeffreys living area and plots to have him kicked out of the house. As this back and forth struggle was happening I had to pinch myself in reminder that this was supposed to be a comedy and not some lame drama. The film seems to have no real direction and dragged out what basically could have been a three or four minute SNL skit into a movie of little merit. Where would this movie be with the obvious relationship formed between Jeffrey and random coffee shop girl Nora played by Anna Faris. This relationship served two distinct purposes while botching both of these purposes beautifully. The first purpose being a side story to try and take the pressure of the miserable main storyline. It did not succeed and while Anna Faris might not be super gorgeous in terms of Hollywood her relationship with Jon Heders character is probably the funniest thing about the film as she is way to good looking for him. The second part she provides is a calming influence on the crazy and permanently weird Jeffrey and of course steers himself in the right direction on all of lifes nuances. While all of this is happening it is accompanied by a truly nauseating soundtrack that makes the group Simple plan sound like the Beatles. Watching this movie unfold in front of my eyes made me want give up comedy for a while as it was so off the mark no amount of star power could have saved it. The film progresses to the point where I just wanted to turn it off and call it a night. The predictable story comes to a close with not an original thought or general laugh to be had. Director Tim Hamilton and the writers for that matter should be ashamed of themselves as this comedy starts off horribly and somehow never really takes off. I cannot recommend this film as it never really gets into a good comedic groove and the jokes are lame and uninspired.

T Factor + Find Jon Heder a funny comedic actor then this could score higher on the rating scale.

T Factor â?? Need a good story to accompany your comedy then this could score lower on the rating scale.

If you liked this film reel recommendations: Grandmas Boy, or Meet the Parents.