Real Genius (1985)

Teenage geniuses deal with their abilities while developing a laser.

Director:

Martha Coolidge

Writers:

Neal Israel (screenplay), Neal Israel (story),

Stars:

Val Kilmer, Gabriel Jarret, Michelle Meyrink

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Val Kilmer	...	Chris Knight
Gabriel Jarret	...	Mitch Taylor (as Gabe Jarret)
Michelle Meyrink	...	Jordan
William Atherton	...	Prof. Jerry Hathaway
Jon Gries	...	Lazlo Hollyfeld (as Jonathan Gries)
Patti D'Arbanville	...	Sherry Nugil
Stacy Peralta	...	Shuttle Pilot
Daniel Ades	...	Laser Ray Victim
Andres Aybar	...	Bartender
Louis Giambalvo	...	Maj. Carnagle
Ed Lauter	...	David Decker
Charles Shull	...	Air Force General
Beau Billingslea	...	George
Charles Parks	...	Larry
Sean Frye	...	Boy at Science Fair

Storyline

Mitch is one of the youngest students ever accepted to a university known for its programs for geniuses. He's partnered up with his roommate, science club legend Chris Knight, on a project to develop a high-powered laser. Together with their hyper-kinetic friends, they employ their intellects in the pursuit of bigger blasts, practical jokes, and a deeper understanding of what real genius is. When their final, functional laser is stolen by their teacher for a military weapon, they decide to get even.

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Plot Keywords:

laser | weapon | genius | professor | student | 

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Taglines:

When he gets mad, he doesn't get even... he gets creative.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Imperial [Poland]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 August 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Academia de genios

Filming Locations:

Claremont, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$13,000,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Delphi III Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2010, actor William Atherton told "The A.V. Club" that the popcorn used in the final scenes was treated with a flame-retardant chemical and so the crew went to great lengths to guard it against being eaten by birds, which would have died from the contaminant. Atherton also said that even with a machine in the studio dedicated to doing nothing but popping the popcorn, it took three months to pop it all.

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Goofs

When Chris is warning Mitch about "ending up in the steam tunnels" like Laslo, Mitch is holding a pile of laundry. In some shots it is a plaid shirt in his hands, in others a bright yellow blanket.

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Quotes

Chris Knight: As you know, Mitch and I were working on the cyanide system. Well, earlier today it ate itself. But, these little set-backs are just what we need to take a giant step forward. Right, Kent? Needless to say, I was a little despondent about the melt down, but then, in the midst of my preparations for hari kiri, it came to me. It is possible to synthesize excited bromide in an argon matrix. Yes, it's an excimer frozen in its excited state.
Bodie: Th... That's impossible.
Chris Knight: It's a chemical laser but in solid...

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Connections

References The Monkees (1966)

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Soundtracks

The Walls Come Down
Written by Michael Been
Performed by The Call
Courtesy of Polygram Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Bright examination of youth and intelligence

It is unfortunate that Val Kilmer so quickly "graduated" from the realm of youth oriented roles, as his work in Real Genius is by far the most enjoyable to watch. Kilmer proves adept at excellent comic timing, and he is given a motherlode of razor-sharp one-liners to fire off in every scene (I speculate that writer Pat Proft enjoyed watching The Marx Brothers in his formative years). Chief drawback of this film is the hammy, sneering villain played by Atherton -- as the old saying goes, just give him a mustache to twirl. But if you happened to see the film as a young person, the above-mentioned won't get in the way of your fond memories. I sure know that every time I see that slow-motion romp through the popcorn and hear Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," ramp up on the soundtrack, my cynicism just melts away.