Nobel Son (2007) PG13 - 3 Stars

The first thing I have to say is the musical score, sucks! My volume control button never got such a work out between the highs and lows, and in my opinion, the music just doesn't fit with the style of the movie. Plus, a couple of the sped up scenes are enough to make one nauseous. But having said that, the psychological plot is well written making the movie work for me up until the end. Pretty decent acting from Greenberg, Rickman, Hatosy and DeVito and I really liked the mall scenes.

Barkley Michaelson (Bryan Greenberg), a hard working student finishing his PHD thesis, has never lived up to his dad's expectations or felt worthy in his father eyes. His father, Eli Michaelson (Alan Rickman), professor, philanderer, scientist and egotist, has just been informed he's won the Nobel Prize in chemistry. His mother, Sarah (Mary Steenburgen), forensic psychiatrist, is quite aware of Eli's extramarital affairs, but stays by his side as the family gets ready to embarks for
award ceremonies abroad, where Eli will be presented his prize. Gastner (Danny DeVito), who lives on the property, will be looking after the exterior of the home, water plants, etc. Barkely has a late arrival at home, and his parents depart for the airport, leaving his tickets behind for Barkely to catch up. But Barkely never makes it to the airport as he's been kidnapped with a requested ransom of the $2,000,000, Eli will receive in Nobel prize money. Eli doesn't take the call seriously, refusing to pay until a thumb is delivered to his limousine.

Freestyle Releasing
Director: Randall Miller
Writer: Jody Savin, Randall Miller
Producers: Randall Miller, Jody Savin

I viewed 3/09