Spotlight

Spotlight Date: 28-May-06
Spoiler Rating: Low

Real Genius (1985)

Is it possible for me to review a movie as imbued with nostalgia as "Real Genius?" I wondered at first but decided Yes as soon as I started the DVD. After all, I revisit other beloved films from my salad days and think things like "Ferris Bueller was a prick!", so my tastes aren't set in sentimental stone. For a movie to obtain a permanent place in my heart it needs enduring strengths as well as warm and fuzzy associations. And this one has it all. It's right up there with "The Sure Thing" as the cream of '80s comedy.

The charm of "Real Genius" begins with its characters and cast. The title refers to either of the star students at a fictitious California university: Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarrett), a straight-laced, 15-year-old prodigy, or Chris Knight (Val Kilmer), a senior whose brilliance is matched only by his rebellious streak. When Mitch is admitted at the recommendation of the renowned Professor Hathaway (William Atherton) and placed under Chris' wing, he expects to absorb the sober intensity of great scholars engaged in important pursuits. But his eyes are opened when he finds that Hathaway is a self-important sniveler who expects others to do his work (the ideal villain), while his mentor cuts class, gets laid whenever possible, and wears bunny rabbit slippers for every occasion. In addition, their dormitory is a madhouse where a strange man (Jonathan Gries) appears to be living in their closet, and the eggheads all delight in tormenting the resident brown-noser (Robert Prescott).

The cast is able to shine because the movie's both funny and smart. Director Martha Coolidge maintains the perfect atmosphere of lighthearted geekdom (making excellent use of music and montage), and the script transcends the broad humor of most collegiate comedies to include a substantial plotline involving a laser which Dr. Hathaway hands over to the military as "the perfect peacetime weapon." The story isn't completely unhackneyed in that it does give Mitch a love interest (Michelle Meyrink), but it's easy to excuse such nods to tradition when appeased by lines like these:

Dr. Hathaway: "I want to start seeing a lot more of you in the lab."
Chris: "Fine, I'll gain weight."

And the all-time classic:

Blonde: "Can you hammer a six-inch spike through a board with your penis?"
Chris: "Not right now."
Blonde: "A girl's gotta have her standards."

These nuggets are seamlessly juxtaposed with statements like "it is possible to synthesize excited bromide in an argon matrix!" Smart and funny: "Real Genius" is pure genius.

Copyright © 2006 The Jujube (M. I. Kim). All rights reserved.