Genius (2016)

A chronicle of Max Perkins's time as the book editor at Scribner, where he oversaw works by Thomas Wolfe, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and others.

Director:

Michael Grandage

Writers:

John Logan (screenplay by), A. Scott Berg (based on the book 'Max Perkins: Editor of Genius' by)

Stars:

Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Colin Firth	...	Max Perkins
Jude Law	...	Thomas Wolfe
Nicole Kidman	...	Aline Bernstein
Laura Linney	...	Louise Perkins
Guy Pearce	...	F. Scott Fitzgerald
Dominic West	...	Ernest Hemingway
Vanessa Kirby	...	Zelda Fitzgerald
Gillian Hanna	...	Julia Wolfe
Angela Sant'Albano	...	Bertha Perkins (as Angela Ashton)
Eve Bracken	...	Zippy Perkins
Katya Watson	...	Jane Perkins
Lorna Doherty	...	Peggy Perkins
Makenna McBrierty	...	Nancy Perkins
Miquel Brown	...	Eleanor, Perkins' Maid
Corey Johnson	...	John Wheelock

Storyline

When, one day in 1929, writer Thomas Wolfe decided to keep the appointment made by Max Perkins, editor at Scribner's, he had no illusions: his manuscript would be turned down as had invariably been the case. But, to his happy amazement, his novel, which was to become "Look Homeward, Angel," was accepted for publication. The only trouble was that it was overlong (by 300 pages) and had to be reduced. Although reluctant to see his poetic prose trimmed, Wolfe agreed and was helped by Perkins, who had become a true friend, with the result that it instantly became a favorite with the critics and a best seller. Success was even greater in 1935 when "Of Time and the River" appeared, but the fight for reducing Wolfe's logorrheic written expression had been even harder, with the novel originally at 5,000 pages. Perkins managed to cut 90,000 words from the book, and with bitterness ultimately taking its toll, the relationships between the two men gradually deteriorated. Wolfe did not feel ...

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Plot Keywords:

editor | book editor | writer | novel writing | novelist | 

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Taglines:

Max Perkins discovered Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. But he never met anyone like Thomas Wolfe.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and suggestive content

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 June 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Genius

Filming Locations:

King Street, Manchester, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$98,274, 12 June 2016

Gross USA:

$1,361,045

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,435,006

Company Credits

Production Co:

Desert Wolf Productions, Michael Grandage Company, Riverstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White (opening sequence)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Nicole Kidman described her part of Aline Bernstein as "a fiery, dark-haired, strong woman, flamboyant, ahead of her time. My kind of stuff".

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Goofs

Maxwell Perkins tells Thomas Wolfe his book needs a new title that will appeal to potential purchasers, and gives the example of F. Scott Fitzgerald changing the title of a novel from "Trimalchio in West Egg" to "The Great Gatsby." The real Perkins, as Fitzgerald's editor, certainly would have known that "The Great Gatsby" was a flop upon its release in 1925 and did not sell well until the 1950s.

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Quotes

[first lines]
John Wheelock: [throwing down a manuscript onto his desk] Might want to read this one.
Maxwell Evarts Perkins: Please tell me it's double-spaced.
John Wheelock: No such luck.
Maxwell Evarts Perkins: Where'd you get it?
John Wheelock: A woman named Aline Bernstein. The stage designer? The author's her protege. Every other publisher in town has already tuned it down.
Maxwell Evarts Perkins: Is it any good?
John Wheelock: Good? No. But it's unique.
Maxwell Evarts Perkins: A quick look.
John Wheelock: Thanks, Max. I'm in your debt.

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Connections

Referenced in The Good Place: What We Owe to Each Other (2016)

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Soundtracks

Flow Gently Sweet Afton
(Sottish traditional)
Composed by Jonathan E. Spillman
(1873)

User Reviews

Genius is as great as you can get

This was a very thoughtful, moving film, seamlessly made and directed with divine skill. The storytelling was so trans-formative that both my husband and I could barely leave the theater till every credit ended and the last note sounded. We have a symbiotic relationship with England and hats off to this film. Colin Firth was perfection. Jude Law in a southern role was a moment of challenge but I got over it and let go along for the brilliant ride. Enjoy seeing Nicole Kidman and Laura Linney in every scene give award winning performances and I hope others agree with nominations. Go see this movie. It is top rate in every aspect. The mood, music and total experience is a gift!