Real Genius (1985)

Teenage geniuses deal with their abilities while developing a high-powered laser for a university project. When their professor intends to turn their work into a military weapon, they decide to ruin his plans.

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 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	...	Major Carnagle
Ed Lauter	...	David Decker
Charles Shull	...	Air Force General
Beau Billingslea	...	George
Charles Parks	...	Larry
Sean Frye	...	Boy at Science Fair

Storyline

Mitch Taylor is one of the youngest students ever accepted to a university known for its programs for geniuses. He partners up with his roommate, science club legend Chris Knight, on a project to develop a high-powered laser. Together with their hyperkinetic friends, they employ their intellects in the pursuit of bigger blasts, practical jokes, and a deeper understanding of what real genius means. When they find out that their professor intends to turn their work over to the military for use as a weapon, they decide to get even.

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Plot Keywords:

nerd | secret door | high school | pool party | science fair | 

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Taglines:

It's yet another in a long series of diversions in an attempt to avoid responsibility.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Imperial [Poland] Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 August 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Real Genius

Filming Locations:

Claremont, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,557,180, 11 August 1985

Gross USA:

$12,952,019

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,952,019

Company Credits

Production Co:

Delphi III Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the article "The Road to Hollywood: Director Martha Coolidge's Long Trek to Real Genius (1985)" published in the 7th August 1985 edition of The Washington Post, "To prepare for Real Genius (1985), [director] Martha Coolidge spent months researching laser technology and the policies of the CIA, and interviewed dozens of students at Caltech.

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Goofs

Before the shot is fired on Dr. Hathaway's house, the aircraft used to deploy the laser is shown as three different planes. On the base, it is a dark B-1B Lancer, on the approach it is the spaceship from the opening of the movie, and on the closeup shots it is a camouflage fighter jet.

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Quotes

Chris Knight: [to future employers] I'm sorry. It's just that I didn't want you guys to think I was stuffy. You know, no fun. All brain, no penis.

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Alternate Versions

In one pan-and-scan version, when Jordan looks through the hole the laser made through a tree, the camera stays on her while another pan-and-scan version cuts aside to Chris for his line and to catch him turning his head when she says, "Look!"

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Connections

Referenced in The Goldbergs: Let's Val Kilmer This Car (2018)

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Soundtracks

The Pleasure Seekers
Written David Frank, Mic Murphy and Paul Pesco
Performed by The System
Courtesy of Mirage Records
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

A High IQ version of Animal House

This movie is in the genre of Animal House and Revenge of the Nerds but features a cast of geniuses working on a laser, with one of the professors and his minions being the opposition.

It is in my top 10 films of all time list.

The humorous dialog goes on between ALL the characters but Val Kilmer has center stage even though the story seems to be about Mitch, the new 15 year old, premature college geek.

It is a magical movie that can truly lift your spirits if you are depressed. You can watch it over and over again because its power is not so much in the story but in the superb and genuinely captivating interaction between Val Kilmer and the rest of the cast.