Flash of Genius (2008)

Robert Kearns takes on the Detroit automakers who he claims stole his idea for the intermittent windshield wiper.

Director:

Marc Abraham

Writers:

Philip Railsback, John Seabrook (article)

Stars:

Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, Alan Alda

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Greg Kinnear	...	Bob Kearns
Tim Eddis	...	Maryland Cop #1
Warren Belle	...	Maryland Cop #2
Karl Pruner	...	Pete
Bill Lake	...	Scott
Dermot Mulroney	...	Gil Previck
Lauren Graham	...	Phyllis Kearns
Landon Norris	...	Young Dennis
Shae Norris	...	Young Kathy
Steven Woodworth	...	Young Tim
Victoria Learn	...	Young Maureen
Dylan Authors	...	Young Patrick
Ronn Sarosiak	...	Reverend
Gavin Kuiack	...	Baby Bob Jr.
Ben Kuiak	...	Baby Bob Jr.

Storyline

Based on the true story of college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns' long battle with the U.S. automobile industry, Flash of Genius tells the tale of one man whose fight to receive recognition for his ingenuity would come at a heavy price. But this determined engineer refused to be silenced, and he took on the corporate titans in a battle that nobody thought he could win. The Kearns were a typical 1960s Detroit family, trying to live their version of the American Dream. Local university professor Bob married teacher Phyllis and, by their mid-thirties, had six kids who brought them a hectic but satisfying Midwestern existence. When Bob invents a device that would eventually be used by every car in the world, the Kearns think they have struck gold. But their aspirations are dashed after the auto giants who embraced Bob's creation unceremoniously shunned the man who invented it. Ignored, threatened and then buried in years of litigation, Bob is haunted by what was done to ...

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Plot Keywords:

intellectual property | ford | windshield wiper | automaker | engineer | 

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Taglines:

They had the power. He had the truth.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

3 October 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un éclair de génie

Filming Locations:

Cinespace Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,251,075, 5 October 2008, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$4,234,040, 17 October 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures,Spyglass Entertainment,Strike Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Marc Abraham submitted numerous revisions to the screenplay to Universal Studios chief Stacey Snider who repeatedly told him that the reason the script was a hard sell was because the character of Kearns was not likeable. Abraham stuck to his guns however, insisting that this made it more realistic (and having worked alongside the real Kearns for many years, he knew his subject). When Universal underwent a management change, his project finally received the greenlight.

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Goofs

The uniform jackets worn by the Maryland State Police were not available until the 1990's. In the 60's, all State Troopers wore dress uniforms with a strap over their shoulder. The lightweight jackets shown in the movie were not worn by any police agency at that time, and were not even made.

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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.

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Crazy Credits

Following his verdict over Ford, Bob received $18.7 million from the Chrysler Corporation.

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Connections

References Frankenstein (1931)

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Soundtracks

Go Go Go Go
Written by Jerry Livingston & Mack David
Performed by Jonathan Whitaker

User Reviews

You Gotta Give The Underdog It's Due

You just got to hand it to Greg Kinnear. He has certainly put all of himself in every role he has undertaken. From the host of E Entertainment's 'Talk Soup', onto such film roles as 'Little Miss Sunshine','Auto Focus' & this fine film. Kinnear plays a downtrodden Joe Sixpack from the suburbs, with his wife & six children. Here he is an engineering professor who has re-invented the windshield wiper (or did he just upgrade it?), only to have his idea stolen by Ford Motors. After 12 years of struggle that includes a nervous breakdown & the melt down of his marriage, he finally has his day in court. Does he emerge the victorious? I won't kiss & tell. This is a quiet,understated little film that deserved far better than it got. Alan Alda also shines as his attorney that tries to go to bat for him. This is one of those films that (hopefully)will have a second chance when it gets released on DVD. Slapped a PG-13 by the MPAA for some salty language,a moment of sensuality & some rather erratic behavior,due to a nervous breakdown.