Every fall movie season, there is at least one film that aims to inspire movie-goers to think the impossible is possible. These types of movies hearken the age-old, David-versus-Goliath story, portraying a small-time protagonist pitted against an evil and all-powerful antagonist. Sometimes the stories are entirely fictional, but the best of them are based on the lives of real people. For example, Will Smith's The Pursuit of Happyness is based on the true story of Chris Gardner's rise from poverty to the millionaire's club. During the showing of that film, there was not a dry eye in the theater, as the impact of real life drives the emotions of the story home more than that of fictional characters. While Flash of Genius is not a tear-jerker, it is certainly an inspiring piece of entertainment that will have viewers rooting for their fellow commoner audience members to, in the words of Jack Black in School of Rock, "stick it to the man."
Flash of Genius is based on the true story of the life of Dr. Robert Kearns, a college professor and aspiring engineer. Kearns was a loving husband and father of six kids who lived a great life, but always wanted something more: greatness. Kearns was a persevering inventor, convinced that in time he would invent something that would actually catch on and make a difference in the world. Lo and behold, Kearns did exactly what he set out to do, and came up with the idea for the intermittent windshield wiper. At the end of the film, Kearns explains that something can be classified as an invention if the idea hits its creator suddenly, in something called a flash of genius. Kearns' moment came in the film when he and his family were driving home from church and it was raining too much for the slow speed windshield wiper to work, yet the fast speed was too much for the lighter rain. He thought about how much better it would be for the driver if the windshield wipers could have different speeds depending on the amount of rain falling, and thus the intermittent windshield wiper was born. Kearns brought it to some friends, patented the idea, and showed it off to Ford Motor Company, the leading American manufacturer in the 1960s. Everything seemed on track for Kearns to sell his invention, until Ford dropped him and claimed the invention as its own. The rest of the movie follows Kearns' fight against Ford to get the recognition he deserved as the inventor of the "blinking eye windshield wiper," as his family called it.
Academy Award-nominated actor Greg Kinnear inhabits the role of Dr. Robert Kearns perfectly - altering his appearance so that you forget about his previous memorable roles as Richard Hoover, the father in Little Miss Sunshine, and Simon Bishop, the role that earned him the supporting actor Oscar nod as a gay artist in As Good As It Gets. In Flash of Genius, Kinnear becomes the world weary Kearns after putting on weight, taking off some hair on his head, and dressing in '60s-inspired pantsuits. The actor turns what could be a scientific chronicle of one man's life into a story with heart. By the end of the movie, Kinnear has transformed this character from a family man with dreams to a man obsessed with the pursuit of justice. The actor's turn is already being buzzed about come awards season, as many true life roles often are. Kearns' wife, Phyllis, is played by Lauren Graham, in a severe departure from the role that made her famous, that of Lorelei on Gilmore Girls. She portrays Phyllis as deeply in love with her husband, yet unable to live with the maniac that he becomes in the quest for recognition. Graham shows that she's more than just a quick wit; she actually has the capability to go far in the entertainment industry.
Flash of Genius will not be a contender for best picture when Oscar season rolls around at the beginning of next year, but with a strong leading man and great adapted screenplay, it will definitely be in the mix. After watching Kearns take down the man, movie-goers will feel like anything is possible, even a Greg Kinnear Oscar win. B+
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