This is a story that needs to be told, but the filmmakers could not keep themselves from turning it into a propaganda piece, and in so doing they undermined the message they were trying to promote. It is true that Walter Shaw was treated poorly by his employer, which happened to be the largest monopoly in the world, but the legal and technical intricacies of his situation are not explored in this film to the extent that they really need to be-- probably because the filmmakers knew that most people are about as interested in the legalities of the field of electronics as they are in the atmosphere of Jupiter.
The political bias in this movie isn't really such a huge problem. If you know how to spot a political bias, then most movies are dripping with propaganda and it's a surprise to find one that isn't promoting an agenda of some kind. What's wrong with "Genius on Hold" is that the propaganda content is poorly executed. It's not the propaganda that one objects to-- it's the poorly made propaganda. I mean, come on. I'll sit still for a good mental enema if the doctor orders it, but if the nurse is as sloppy as the makers of this film, I might end up in worse shape. It's important to keep focused on the plot and not lose track of it when making a film, documentary or otherwise. "Genius on Hold" fails to stick to the point, and, at times, sounds a bit like your weird uncle at the Thanksgiving table, rambling on and on about Vietnam or Nixon while the other family members roll their eyes.
I'm giving this movie a solid "8" despite the flaws, because it is a true story about the nature of capitalism, no matter how poorly the filmmaker pasted it together. It's still absolutely compelling. This is blood-chilling stuff. It's Halloween here tomorrow. I can't imagine a film more horrifying than "Genius on Hold." No scary movie ever made is more frightening than the image of Walter Shaw and his damaged family. I'll be seeing him sitting in the bus station in my nightmares.
Yes, it's flawed film. See it anyway.
The political bias in this movie isn't really such a huge problem. If you know how to spot a political bias, then most movies are dripping with propaganda and it's a surprise to find one that isn't promoting an agenda of some kind. What's wrong with "Genius on Hold" is that the propaganda content is poorly executed. It's not the propaganda that one objects to-- it's the poorly made propaganda. I mean, come on. I'll sit still for a good mental enema if the doctor orders it, but if the nurse is as sloppy as the makers of this film, I might end up in worse shape. It's important to keep focused on the plot and not lose track of it when making a film, documentary or otherwise. "Genius on Hold" fails to stick to the point, and, at times, sounds a bit like your weird uncle at the Thanksgiving table, rambling on and on about Vietnam or Nixon while the other family members roll their eyes.
I'm giving this movie a solid "8" despite the flaws, because it is a true story about the nature of capitalism, no matter how poorly the filmmaker pasted it together. It's still absolutely compelling. This is blood-chilling stuff. It's Halloween here tomorrow. I can't imagine a film more horrifying than "Genius on Hold." No scary movie ever made is more frightening than the image of Walter Shaw and his damaged family. I'll be seeing him sitting in the bus station in my nightmares.
Yes, it's flawed film. See it anyway.