Harold

CITY LIGHTS
Street: Sept. 16
Prebook: Aug. 19
> Half-hearted comedy about a prematurely bald teen.

Plodding and corny, Harold should do well because it has a surfeit of marketable names in its supporting cast. Otherwise, this middling, overlong comedy impresses only as a study in missed opportunities. Spencer Breslin plays the title teen, a lumpy schlub with premature male-pattern baldness. Enrolled at a new school, Harold endures the taunts of bullies but manages to win the acceptance of his classmates nonetheless. Ally Sheedy lends capable support as his mom, Cuba Gooding Jr. plays a wisecracking janitor and Nikki Blonsky scores as one of the lad’s new friends. However, the gags are mostly lame, and one can’t help but think that a promising idea got lost somewhere along the way.

Shelf Talk: City Lights promises a “major national PR campaign with key talent support,” as well as viral and grassroots marketing campaigns involving contest promotions and stunts. There also will be integrated print and online ad campaigns, promotional partnerships with family-fun parks and radio promotions in the Top 20 markets.