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Someone once said "Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed." This is a somewhat cynical statement to how the expectations we have about others are often not met. The above exchange between Professor Hathaway (William Atherton) and genius Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) is an example of that; not only regarding the expectations the professor had in Chris, but also those that Chris had about his own abilities and future.
Real Genius follows Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret), a teen prodigy that has his own expectations about Chris; expectations that are once shattered when he is roomed with him in college and finds out he is more of a "slacker". Despite their differences, both geniuses have to learn to work together as they are tasked by Hathaway to complete a special project. But will this project be what they expect as well?
This is a film that was recommended by a good Internet friend a while ago, but that I never got to. However, with Kilmer's death last week, I decided to give it a shot. In a way, I was also a victim of expectations as the film, although not bad at all, ended up not being as good as I hoped. The one thing that surpassed my expectations? Kilmer, who is great as the wise-cracking genius.
Jarret, on the other hand, suffers from the "straight man syndrome". His performance is not bad, but even though he is arguably the lead, his "straight man persona" can't help but be overshadowed by Kilmer's funnier and more colorful performance/character. Meanwhile, Atherton does what he does best playing the a$$hole Hathaway. There is a rivalry with other students led by Kent (Robert Prescott) that plays more or less how you would expect, until it takes a weird turn in the last act.
In addition, there are a couple of female characters that feel like they were victims of editing or rewrites, and end up feeling like "left field" odd ducks in Chris' story. The one slight exception is probably Jordan (Michelle Meyrink) who ends up being Mitch's love interest. Their relationship feels honest and charming enough for us to root for, especially because Jordan is as much of an outcast as them and is not forced to "change" who she is.
The film is best when exploring those contrasting and symbiotic relationships; Chris and Mitch, Mitch and Jordan, etc. However, expectations plague the characters in more ways than one as Hathaway has them work for what they think is a school project, but turns out to be him using their smarts to build a laser that will be used by the Department of Defense. That story ends up feeling a bit too serious and ambitious when paired with the juvenile teen comedy antics of the rest of the film.
Overall, Real Genius ends up being a competent teen comedy that's a bit different from others, despite an awkward overarching plot that doesn't necessarily mix well with the rest. However, it is all kept afloat by earnest and honest characters and a brilliantly funny performance from Kilmer, who more than met my expectations with his witty dialogue and delivery.
Grade:
REAL GENIUS
(1985, Coolidge)
(1985, Coolidge)
Professor Hathaway: "When you first started at Pacific Tech you were well on your way to becoming another Einstein and then you know what happened?"
Chris Knight: "I got a haircut?"
Chris Knight: "I got a haircut?"
Someone once said "Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed." This is a somewhat cynical statement to how the expectations we have about others are often not met. The above exchange between Professor Hathaway (William Atherton) and genius Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) is an example of that; not only regarding the expectations the professor had in Chris, but also those that Chris had about his own abilities and future.
Real Genius follows Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret), a teen prodigy that has his own expectations about Chris; expectations that are once shattered when he is roomed with him in college and finds out he is more of a "slacker". Despite their differences, both geniuses have to learn to work together as they are tasked by Hathaway to complete a special project. But will this project be what they expect as well?
This is a film that was recommended by a good Internet friend a while ago, but that I never got to. However, with Kilmer's death last week, I decided to give it a shot. In a way, I was also a victim of expectations as the film, although not bad at all, ended up not being as good as I hoped. The one thing that surpassed my expectations? Kilmer, who is great as the wise-cracking genius.
Jarret, on the other hand, suffers from the "straight man syndrome". His performance is not bad, but even though he is arguably the lead, his "straight man persona" can't help but be overshadowed by Kilmer's funnier and more colorful performance/character. Meanwhile, Atherton does what he does best playing the a$$hole Hathaway. There is a rivalry with other students led by Kent (Robert Prescott) that plays more or less how you would expect, until it takes a weird turn in the last act.
In addition, there are a couple of female characters that feel like they were victims of editing or rewrites, and end up feeling like "left field" odd ducks in Chris' story. The one slight exception is probably Jordan (Michelle Meyrink) who ends up being Mitch's love interest. Their relationship feels honest and charming enough for us to root for, especially because Jordan is as much of an outcast as them and is not forced to "change" who she is.
The film is best when exploring those contrasting and symbiotic relationships; Chris and Mitch, Mitch and Jordan, etc. However, expectations plague the characters in more ways than one as Hathaway has them work for what they think is a school project, but turns out to be him using their smarts to build a laser that will be used by the Department of Defense. That story ends up feeling a bit too serious and ambitious when paired with the juvenile teen comedy antics of the rest of the film.
Overall, Real Genius ends up being a competent teen comedy that's a bit different from others, despite an awkward overarching plot that doesn't necessarily mix well with the rest. However, it is all kept afloat by earnest and honest characters and a brilliantly funny performance from Kilmer, who more than met my expectations with his witty dialogue and delivery.
Grade: