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:

You need brains to act this crazy!

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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)

Gross USA:

$13,000,000

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 "Fun With the Whiz Kids" by Paul Attanasio published in the 7th August 1985 edition of The Washington Post, according to website Wikipedia, "The screenplay was extensively rewritten, first by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, [and] later by Coolidge and Pj Torokvei".

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Goofs

During the party scene, Chris first puts a blue lei around Mitch's neck and has a red lei in his hand. In the next shot, Mitch is wearing the red lei and Chris is holding the blue lei. Then in the next shot, Mitch is wearing the blue one and Chris is once again holding the red one.

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Quotes

Roy: Our studies indicate the weapon is totally useless in warfare.
David Decker: It's not intended for use in your kind of warfare, Roy. It's the perfect peacetime weapon. That's why it's secret.
Man: So it's both immoral *and* unethical?
David Decker: Yes.
[they all laugh]

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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

Spoofed in Pixels (2015)

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Soundtracks

Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley and Chris Hughes
Performed by Tears for Fears
Courtesy of Phonogram, Limited

User Reviews

Terrific '80's Film

I've noticed that some people who've commented on REAL GENIUS do not appear impressed. This must be either because they lack a sense of humor or simply don't know a good movie when they see one. Val Kilmer is hysterical, the script is filled with clever one-liners. William Atherton is THE ego-meniacle bad guy. And Chris Knight and Mitch Taylor have a guy named Lazlow living in their closet. Come on, this film is terrific. I could watch this film every day. It's that good.