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 | military | student | 

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Taglines:

MEET CHRIS KNIGHT, THE EINSTEIN OF THE '80'S. He can turn the simple into the simply amazing, and now he turns revenge into high comedy.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Imperial [pl]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 August 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Academia de genios

Filming Locations:

Crystal Springs Ranch, Canyon Country, 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 the scene where the military is set-up for the laser test fire, the cars in the procession on the dirt road are set up to replicate the JFK assassination.

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Goofs

In the end credits, the name of the Hewlett-Packard company is misspelled as "Hewlitt-Packard".

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Quotes

Chris Knight: Hey how's it going, Jerry?
Professor Hathaway: What do you want, Knight?
Chris Knight: World peace, but I don't think this is the time to discuss it.
Professor Hathaway: Get out!

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

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Soundtracks

"Standing in Line"
Performed by The Textones
Courtesy of Gold Mountain / A&M Records

User Reviews

A smart film

First off: This is an 80s movie. It contains within it certain aspects of the 80s film genre which may cause you to cringe. A youthful, innocent boy gets corrupted by the feckless rebel; a vicious adult has his own agenda; boy gets seduced by teenage girl who may or may not be the current sex symbol. All generalizations aside, the roles in this movie are well-written and well-played. Val Kilmer is at his absolute best, William Atherton is as sly as Jeffrey Jones is oafish in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." The supporting heroine is annoying and unneeded, but who needs her when you've got Jonathan Gries to laugh at? All-around fun and plenty of one-liners that'll have you wishing you could be so witty.