Real Genius (1985)

Director:

Martha Coolidge

Writers:

Neal Israel (screenplay)
Neal Israel (story)

Release Date:

7 August 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

When he gets mad, he doesn't get even... he gets creative.

Plot:

Teenage geniuses deal with their abilities while developing a laser.

Plot Keywords:

Exploding House | Smart Kids | Beautician | Military | Weapon

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Val Kilmer	...	Chris Knight
Gabriel Jarret	...	Mitch Taylor (as Gabe Jarret)
Michelle Meyrink	...	Jordan Cochran
William Atherton	...	Prof. Jerry Hathaway
Jon Gries	...	Lazlo Hollyfeld (as Jonathan Gries)
Patti D'Arbanville	...	Sherry Nugil
Stacy Peralta	...	Shuttle Pilot
Daniel Ades	...	Laser Ray Victim
Andres Aybar	...	Bartender
Louis Giambalvo	...	Maj. Carnagle
Ed Lauter	...	David Decker
Charles Shull	...	Air Force General
Beau Billingslea	...	George
Charles Parks	...	Larry
Sean Frye	...	Boy at Science Fair

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Iceland:L | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Crystal Springs Ranch, Canyon Country, California, USA

Company:

Delphi III Productions

Trivia:

A scene where Chris floats outside his classroom suspended in a lounge chair attached to several balloons appeared in the preview version but not the release version. This is a reference to a real-life 1982 incident.

Goofs:

Plot holes: When the students are trying to break into the military computer, Laslo comments, "Oh, we'll get in; it's just going to take six hours." A six letter string using only the 26 letters of the alphabet (and no numbers or case changes) has approximately 308.9 million possible combinations. There are about 31 million seconds in one year. That means that trying every combination once every five seconds would give Laslo the chance to try about 6.3 million combinations per year. Given that there are 300 million possible combinations, it would take approximately 47 years for Laslo to try every possible combination.

Quotes:

Chris Knight: [while Mitch is packing to leave] If you want to leave, go ahead, but you're going to miss the fun.
Mitch: What fun?
Chris Knight: Ick invented a nude virus and we're going to release it in Kent's room.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

Soundtrack:

The Tuff Do What?

Terrific '80's Film

I've noticed that some people who've commented on REAL GENIUS do not appear impressed. This must be either because they lack a sense of humor or simply don't know a good movie when they see one. Val Kilmer is hysterical, the script is filled with clever one-liners. William Atherton is THE ego-meniacle bad guy. And Chris Knight and Mitch Taylor have a guy named Lazlow living in their closet. Come on, this film is terrific. I could watch this film every day. It's that good.