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Flash of Genius

  • 20082008
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
17K
YOUR RATING
Greg Kinnear in Flash of Genius (2008)
This is the first trailer for Flash of Genius, directed by Marc Abraham.
Play trailer2:31
17 Videos
76 Photos
BiographyDrama
Robert Kearns takes on the Detroit automakers who he claims stole his idea for the intermittent windshield wiper.Robert Kearns takes on the Detroit automakers who he claims stole his idea for the intermittent windshield wiper.Robert Kearns takes on the Detroit automakers who he claims stole his idea for the intermittent windshield wiper.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
17K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Marc Abraham
  • Writers
    • Philip Railsback
    • John Seabrook(article "The Flash of Genius")
  • Stars
    • Greg Kinnear
    • Lauren Graham
    • Alan Alda
  • Director
    • Marc Abraham
  • Writers
    • Philip Railsback
    • John Seabrook(article "The Flash of Genius")
  • Stars
    • Greg Kinnear
    • Lauren Graham
    • Alan Alda
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 54User reviews
    • 94Critic reviews
    • 57Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Videos17

    Flash of Genius: Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:31
    Watch Flash of Genius: Trailer #1
    Flash of Genius
    Clip 0:31
    Watch Flash of Genius
    Flash of Genius
    Clip 0:51
    Watch Flash of Genius
    Flash of Genius
    Clip 0:55
    Watch Flash of Genius
    Flash of Genius
    Clip 0:42
    Watch Flash of Genius
    Flash of Genius
    Clip 0:50
    Watch Flash of Genius
    Flash of Genius
    Clip 0:56
    Watch Flash of Genius
    Flash Of Genius: Bob Tells Gil To Sue Him For The Patents
    Clip 0:50
    Watch Flash Of Genius: Bob Tells Gil To Sue Him For The Patents
    Flash Of Genius: Bob Conforts Gil At His House
    Clip 0:56
    Watch Flash Of Genius: Bob Conforts Gil At His House
    Flash Of Genius: The Family Goes For A Test Drive
    Clip 0:32
    Watch Flash Of Genius: The Family Goes For A Test Drive
    Flash Of Genius: Phyllis Tells Bob This May Be The Moment
    Clip 0:52
    Watch Flash Of Genius: Phyllis Tells Bob This May Be The Moment
    Flash Of Genius: Gil Tells Bob That Ford Wants Out
    Clip 0:57
    Watch Flash Of Genius: Gil Tells Bob That Ford Wants Out

    Photos76

    Lauren Graham in Flash of Genius (2008)
    Greg Kinnear and Lauren Graham in Flash of Genius (2008)
    Alan Alda in Flash of Genius (2008)
    Greg Kinnear and Mitch Pileggi in Flash of Genius (2008)
    Greg Kinnear and Lauren Graham in Flash of Genius (2008)
    Flash of Genius (2008)
    Greg Kinnear in Flash of Genius (2008)
    Greg Kinnear in Flash of Genius (2008)
    Dermot Mulroney and Greg Kinnear in Flash of Genius (2008)
    Greg Kinnear in Flash of Genius (2008)
    Greg Kinnear in Flash of Genius (2008)
    Lauren Graham in Flash of Genius (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Greg Kinnear
    Greg Kinnear
    • Bob Kearns
    Lauren Graham
    Lauren Graham
    • Phyllis Kearns
    Alan Alda
    Alan Alda
    • Gregory Lawson
    Tim Eddis
    • Maryland Cop #1
    Warren Belle
    Warren Belle
    • Maryland Cop #2
    Karl Pruner
    • Pete
    Bill Lake
    Bill Lake
    • Scott
    Dermot Mulroney
    Dermot Mulroney
    • Gil Previck
    Landon Norris
    Landon Norris
    • Young Dennis
    Shae Norris
    • Young Kathy
    Steven Woodworth
    • Young Tim
    Victoria Learn
    • Young Maureen
    Dylan Authors
    Dylan Authors
    • Young Patrick
    Ronn Sarosiak
    • Reverend
    Gavin Kuiack
    • Baby Bob Jr.
    • (as Gavin & Ben Kuiack)
    Ben Kuiak
    • Baby Bob Jr.
    • (as Gavin & Ben Kuiack)
    Tom Rooney
    • Jerry Barnley
    Kate Parker
    • Waitress
    • Director
      • Marc Abraham
    • Writers
      • Philip Railsback
      • John Seabrook(article "The Flash of Genius")
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Contrary to the court case depicted in the movie, Kearns was actually represented by professional lawyers in his case against Ford. It was in his subsequent, and ultimately more financially successful action against Chrysler, that he acted as his own lawyer.
    • Goofs
      As the Kearns family is proposing a toast in the diner (celebrating his invention), you can see a white 2008 Acura pulling out of the garage across the street.
    • Quotes

      Bob Kearns: Whatever happened to this little thing called justice we talked about?

      Gregory Lawson: This is justice, Bob. This is how justice is dispensed in this country - with checkbooks. There are no brass bands, you know, there are no ticker tape parades, the mayor doesn't give you the key to the city and call you a hero. You get a check, and that check makes the lives of you and your family a little easier... a little more pleasant. It's that simple.

    • Crazy credits
      Following his verdict over Ford, Bob received $18.7 million from the Chrysler Corporation.
    • Connections
      Featured in OWV Updates: Movie Poster Update (22/07/2019) (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Stage Door Queen
      Written by Dick Wagner (as Richard Wagner)

      Performed by Ursa Major

      Courtesy of Spirit Music Group

    User reviews54

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    It's About Giving Credit To The Right Person For The Effort And Hardwork
    I, for one, strongly oppose any kind of plagiarism because nobody has the right to steal someone else's work and claim it to be theirs. 'Flash of Genius' tells the heartbreaking story of inventer Dr. Kearns. While windshield wipers may sound like a small thing that hardly many give consideration to (as Kearns's friends have told him), it's not a matter of the object at hand but the effort that went behind it and why should credit go to somebody else? I admire Kearns for putting up a fight and keeping up the battle for justice and even though it cost him his family, he fought to the end. I'm surprised as to how little recognition 'Flash of Genius' received considering that the story is extremely relevant even for today's world.

    The director does a splendid job in telling this moving story. Greg Kinnear delivers a heartfelt lowkeyed performance which is among one of the best of his career. Unfortunately, he remains an underrated actor but I hope he keeps making the wise film choices and gets his due soon. Lauren Graham is wonderfully restrained and marvelous but she's risking getting typecast (she's played supportive wife in two other recent movies 'Evan Almighty' and 'Birds of America'). Dermot Mulroney too stands out as Privick.

    Where the technical department is concerned, the director has used a lot of subtlety with the cinematography, soundtrack and visuals. It is only later that we realize what an important symbol rain is in this movie. The washed out colour adds to the tense, stressful and sad atmosphere. 'Flash of Genius' is definitely a worthy watch not only because it tells an engaging story but a very relevant one.
    helpful•22
    1
    • Chrysanthepop
    • May 26, 2009

    FAQ2

    • Is "Flash of Genius" based on a book?
    • Didn't a woman invent the windshield wiper?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 3, 2008 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Khoảnh Khắc Thiên Tài
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Spyglass Entertainment
      • Strike Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,442,377
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,251,075
      • Oct 5, 2008
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,802,953
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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