Real Genius (1985)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Martha Coolidge

Writers:

Neal Israel (screenplay)
Neal Israel (story)

Release Date:

7 August 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Who ELSE can turn lasers into light shows, aircraft into armchairs, and high-tech into hijinks?

Plot:

Teenage geniuses deal with their abilities while developing a laser.

Plot Keywords:

Laser | Weapon | Professor | Student | Military

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Val Kilmer	...	Chris Knight
Gabriel Jarret	...	Mitch Taylor (as Gabe Jarret)
Michelle Meyrink	...	Jordan Cochran
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

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Iceland:L | Australia:PG | New Zealand:PG | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Crystal Springs Ranch, Canyon Country, California, USA

Company:

Delphi III Productions

Trivia:

The recurrence of the initials "DEI" in the movie is no accident. The truck that is used to transport the popcorn to Dr. Hathaway's new house has "Drain Experts Inc." emblazoned on its side. The company Chris interviews with at the beginning (and which funds Dr. Hathaway's show "Everything") is Darlington Electronic Instruments. The initials are rumored to have been inscribed by Caltech alumni at (among other places) the summit of Everest, on the moon and on many satellites and space probes manufactured at Jet Propulsion Labs (which sits just up the hill from Caltech in Pasadena). There has long been an unofficial contest to see who could place the letters DEI into the most prominent public view. Their placement in this film was with the full complicity of director Martha Coolidge and her Caltech advisor, David Marvit.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Dr Hathaway is wearing a wedding ring even though he is single .

Quotes:

Carter: Let's go girls!
Bodie: What do you m-m-mean by that?
Carter: It's a f-f-f-figure of speech, Bodie.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Spaced: Change (#2.2)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Number One

The Real Genius is the writers...

This movie is an incredible display of verbal byplay, interplay, and foreplay, and Pat Proft (of Naked Gun and Hot Shots fame) writes some of the funniest dialogue ever. But give credit to Val Kilmer: he hits every line perfectly (see lots and lots of Quotes). Even the minor characters get their moment in the spotlight, and the plot isn't dumbed down for the audience. If this isn't what happens at M.I.T. and similar institutes, you wish it did...and that you could sign up. Only Gabriel Jarrett comes across as a bit weak, but the rest of the cast bolsters him up.