Flash of Genius poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, Dermot Mulroney, Jake Abel, Daniel Roebuck ... see more see more... , Tim Kelleher , Bill Smitrovich , Alan Alda , Mitch Pileggi

Greg Kinnear stars in director Marc Abraham's man-against-the-system docudrama Flash of Genius as inventor Robert Kearns, the visionary who developed the modern intermittent windshield wiper. Kearns s... read more read more...ubmitted the invention to each of the big three auto companies, each of which promptly rejected it; the companies then turned around and put the device to use. The enraged inventor spent several decades attempting to collect on his patent, and mounting lawsuits that traveled all the way to the Supreme Court; he eventually collected over 30 million dollars for his obsession. Abraham co-authored the script with Scott Frank and Phillip Railsback, adapting an article by John Seabrook that originally appeared in The New Yorker. Dermot Mulroney plays Kinnear's best friend, with Lauren Graham rounding out the supporting cast. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Flixster Users

56% liked it

5,548 ratings

Critics

59% liked it

105 critics

PG-13, 2 hr.

Directed by: Marc Abraham

Release Date: October 3, 2008

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: February 17, 2009

Get It:

Stats: 1,028 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Flash of Genius official film still official film still official film still official film still official film still official film still official film still Flash of Genius Flash of Genius Flash of Genius
Upload a Photo | View All Flash of Genius Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (1,028)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    August 21, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Considering how predictable the story was, Flash of Genius was a fairly good film to watch. I had some minor issues with the film, and I thought that the film though good, wasn't as good as I'd thought it is. Robert Kearns seeks to be compensated and brings a lawsuit against the ... read moreFord Motor Company for patent infringement. Flash of Genius is the true story about Robert Kearns who is credited as one of the first to bring a lawsuit against a big corporation that infringed on a patent. Robert Kearns invented the intermittent windshield wiper and Flash of Genius tells the story of how he invented the wiper and how he fought in court to protect what was rightfully his. Greg Kinnear gives a good performance, but he also kind of makes Robert Kearns look a bit unsympathetic as well. Flash of Genius was a good film, but that was where the trouble lied with the film. Though Kinnear's performance was good, he made Kearns look almost like the bad guy, and looking at what he was doing to his family in the process while fighting his case. You sympathize with Robert Kearns, but almost don't care for him, almost. Flash of Genius could have been a truly great film, but its predictability kind of brought it down a notch. Still, this is a worthy film to watch with good performances, just don't expect anything excellent.
  • jjnxn
    February 7, 2011
    jjnxn
    Somewhat plodding but a good central performance by Greg Kinnear.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    July 25, 2010
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Corporations have time, money, and power on their side. All Bob Kearns had was the truth."

    Robert Kearns takes on the Detroit automakers who he claims stole his idea for the intermittent windshield wiper.

    REVIEW<
    ... read more/u>
    One can have a legitimate argument when they voice that most Hollywood bio pics are a "flash in the pan"; but most certainly not "Flash of Genius". Director Marc Abraham's brilliant film on Dr. Robert Kearns, the inventor of the intermittent windshield wiper, was not one wet dud. The narrative motors on Dr. Kearns' legal battle with the Ford Company, whom stole his revolutionary invention. But the narrative does not wipe away Kearns relationship with his wife Phyllis and his six kids, as it plays an integral part in the story. Abraham does drive the motion that Kearns was an obsessive inventor who constantly fixated on obtaining justice for the Ford larceny. The ramification of that fixation for Kearns is that it wiped away his marriage with his mostly supportive but consequently impatient wife which he adored. Even though Dr. Kearns had his egoistic eccentricities, you have to admire his driven determination to stop short on nothing to obtain legitimate justice for his invention. Kearns actually represented himself in his legal battle, which actually provides the film's court scenes to have a semi-comical edge and an inspirational driving-force theme. Director Abraham marvelously invented & constructed "Flash of Genius" with bio clarity on one man's battle. Screenwriter Phillip Railsback scribed up a gripping and inspirational screenplay; ingenious movie wordsmith work here by Railsback. But what wiped me off my socks the most was the astounding performance of star Greg Kinnear as Kearns. I think the Academy did not see it too clear when they did not nominate Kinnear for a Best Actor Oscar for his shining work here. Commendable supporting acting work was also contributed to "Flash of Genius" by the clear-cut performances of Dermot Mulroney as Kearns' friend & business partner Gil Privick, and Alan Alda as a semi-pushy counsel Gregory Lawson.
  • gor41
    October 29, 2009
    gor41
    Well worn tale of the little man taking on a corporate giant. Absolutely predictable but amiable.
  • paulsandberg
    October 9, 2009
    paulsandberg
    as with many a biopic, this film takes many a convenient shortcut in its story telling, and when it does stray outside the normal narative, it fails (while the beginning scene sets a nice mood and is later dove tailed into the court preceedings, it makes no sense - why would the ... read morepolice be interested in this guy in the first place??).
    I feel that the scriptwriter felt somewhat hemmed in by the subject matter - how can you make the war of attrition that Ford Motor Co uses, stalling the courtroom drama for almost 7 years, interesting? You can't - therefore so much of the middle of this film wanders aimlessly, with the luke warm attempt to show the strain of this Quixotic enterprise on Kearn's wife and family. The single minded obsession that drives him temporarily insane somehow manages to come off flat and lifeless, though I think from no fault of Kinnear.

    The last half hour of courtroom "drama" almost falls into the realm of the absurd, as facts are revealed and Kearn, who decides to represent himself in the proceedings, is given way too much leeway by the fatherly judge, and easily objectifiable moves become ignored - making it overtly transparent that the entire courtroom phase is nothing more than a vehicle to reveal the film's tired message.

    There is enough here to marginally recommend this film, especially in the first half, but once Ford Motor shows its true corporate colors the film starts its slow descent into boilerplate mediocracy.
  • deano
    July 6, 2009
    deano
    This true-life tale of an inventor's long battle against the Ford Motor Company is quite good. Set against a convincing Motown backdrop, Greg Kinnear - a flurry of absent-minded agitation and savant zeal - is outstanding. Lauren Graham also impresses as his marginalised wife, and... read more there's a fabulous, spiky Alan Alda cameo. Superb performances from the leads and charming period detail make this engaging and watchable.
  • hobster1
    April 9, 2009
    hobster1
    Biopic of how Robert Kearns, the man who invented the intermittent windshield wiper, went up against the Ford Motor Company for stealing his idea. David and Goliath story presents its tale competently, but it's hard not to feel like we've seen this many times before. Our protag... read moreonist never gives up, regardless of the consequences or benefits. Indeed, it's telling that as the story progresses, the main character seems rather foolish, and not so heroic.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    March 15, 2009
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    A very good decent movie which tells you the history about the inventor of the time controlling of wipers in cars. Robert Kearns takes on the Detroit automakers who he claims stole his idea for the intermittent windshield wiper.
  • gator681
    December 1, 2009
    gator681
    Based on a true story, "Flash of Genius" establishes itself quickly as a dark and moody character study with Bob Kearns(Greg Kinnear, a limited actor giving a strong performance), disoriented as he is led off a bus by state troopers, being told his family is worrying about him. ... read moreThree years earlier, he teaches engineering at a university in Detroit, married to a loving and long suffering wife(Lauren Graham) and has six kids. Singleminded to the point of obsession, there are many times when that does not involve his wife which makes one wonder as to how he actually fathered six kids, especially since it looks like they have twin beds.(There is a Monty Python joke here somewhere.) One such thought process leads to the invention of the intermittent windshield wiper which he brings to a friend(Dermot Mulroney) who then helps him get an interview with Ford Motor Company. Bob has dreams of manufacturing the devices himself but Ford apparently steals the design first which puts him on a very long path seeking justice. We know Bob is right and root for him, even though he is flawed and his complete certainty in his cause, not allowing for compromise, makes him lose all perspective at times. While exploring the dark side of the American dream in a realistic way(No conspiracy theories, please. This is just the way things work.), "Flash of Genius" excels at conveying his struggle, hardships and sacrifice, so that when the climax arrives, there is a great sense of relief for everybody involved.
  • fb720603734
    September 2, 2008
    fb720603734
    A mainstream, populist entertainment in the vein of HOOSIERS. This "man against the system" biopic may play by the numbers, but it builds to an emotionally satisfying yet low key climax. A fine performance from Greg Kinnear.

View All Flash of Genius Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jonathan F. Richards
November 10, 2008
Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com

If it doesn't rise to the level of It's a Wonderful Life, it's because Marc Abrams is no Frank Capra. And after all, this isn't about angels, it's about windshield wipers. Full Review

Ben Lyons
November 10, 2008
Ben Lyons, At the Movies

Nothing too special here. Full Review

Ben Mankiewicz
November 10, 2008
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies

There is depth, there is complexity, there is authenticity to this character. Full Review

Reece Pendleton
October 10, 2008
Reece Pendleton, Chicago Reader

Seriously undermined by the skeletal script, which barely develops the characters and unintentionally raises more questions about Kearns's quixotic battle than it answers. Full Review

Rex Reed
October 8, 2008
Rex Reed, New York Observer

Too much technical information about circuit boards, Motorola transistors and U.S. patent laws eventually takes up more screen time than Kearns' sympathetic story, leaving the viewer restless and bored. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
October 3, 2008
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

In the end, Flash of Genius abandons its most interesting story line - Kearns v. Kearns - for a reliance on formula. Full Review

Claudia Puig
October 3, 2008
Claudia Puig, USA Today

While some scenes deliver, Flash of Genius suffers from an occasional lack of narrative tension. Full Review

Linda Barnard
October 3, 2008
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star

The notion that a car part holds all the beauty and inspiration of a great piece of art is what makes Flash of Genius so watchable. Full Review

Peter Hartlaub
October 3, 2008
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

"Flash of Genius" isn't that good, but it's an enjoyable way to start the Oscar season. Full Review

James Berardinelli
October 3, 2008
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

We have seen this kind of tale before, and director Marc Abraham is unable to convince us that we want to see it again. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Father of Invention
    Father of Invention (100%)
  • The Informant!
    The Informant! (100%)
  • The Man Who Sued God
    The Man Who Sued God (0%)
  • The Social Network
    The Social Network (86%)

More Movies like Flash of Genius

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Flash of Genius : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Flash of Genius. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Flash of Genius Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Flash of Genius to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View Flash of Genius News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?