Movie Review: Week One

Every week (or almost) I review movies for the paper. These are the uncut versions of those reviews.

Flash of Genius Review: B-

Summer is over and the new school year begins. With the last remnants of homework-free hours go the flowing stream of blockbuster movies. This ebb of ‘big names’ allows for some lesser known films to steal into the limelight, though the lull in movie goers might be disheartening for most. As far as I’m concerned, the fall is one of the best times to catch good, honest movies. Of course, living here in Ashland, for me, means walking down town to see most of them.

Flash of Genius was, mostly, worth the effort. Which is good, because I don’t like breaking away from my usual lazy habits for nothing.

The movie is set in the 60’s, and focuses on a college professor who’s background in and passion for engineering lead him to designing a new kind of car windshield wiper, one that does not require constant turning on or off, and has an electronic delay between wipes. Branding this the Kearns Blinking Eye, he offers it to Ford only to find himself betrayed and cheated. Desperate to prove that Ford stole his invention, he engages in a years long battle through courts and letters that sends his once quaint life into chaos. Six children, a loving wife, and his own sanity suffer from his near obsessive conviction, yet he never bows to the ever building pressure to back down, willing to risk everything in the pursuit of his own, personal sense justice: recognition.

Greg Kinnear leads the cast as Bob Kearns, the inventor of the intermittent windshield wiper. The character is a bit intense, a bit too focused. There’s a moment in his long endeavor where he loses himself, and it’s difficult for me to believe he ever really came back from it. In any case, Kinnear’s acting is solid. He’s endearing and soft, a bit confused and adorable. He’s not quite as funny as I would have hoped, but not because the writing didn’t provide for some cute, simple moments of humor. Though, I suppose if I was looking for comedy I should have gone seen Ghost Town, another release in theaters featuring Kinnear.

Not that I would. I’ve seen Heart and Souls. What else do I need in a ghost movie?

Lauren Graham of Gilmore fame plays Phyllis Kearns, Bob’s loving and patient wife. Having been a stalwart Gilmore Girls fan, it was refreshing to see Graham acting, while at the same time it was interesting to see the difference so poignantly in the choices made for this character. She did not speak quickly, or even pout as much as good ol’ Lorelai was wont to do. In fact, Graham was beautifully subtle here, the depth of patience and love she portrayed, even in her character’s hardest moments, fascinating to watch. It was a shame she didn’t have more to do and yet I was glad not to have her over exposed.

The plot was a bit rushed yet still managed to feel its length, some moments dragging on for the sake of direction rather than character or story development. Yes, some of the shots were pretty and effective, but mostly it felt like it was trying too hard to be impactful from behind the camera, while the grace of its characters and potency of the real-life message was played down. Sure, you leave the theater feeling inspired, but the classic David and Goliath story is designed just for that. I don’t think this movie, however strong the actors were, accomplished anything new.

Save for telling me a real tale I had not heard before, of course.

In any case, it is an interesting way to spend an afternoon. Anyone looking for fast paced action, dialogue or… anything might do better looking elsewhere. But if you’re interested in character pieces, dramatic documentaries, or windshield wipers, this movie is worth a look. Kinnear and Graham are strong enough to warrant some recognition, and the message of justice against corruption is applicable in many lives, in big and small ways. It’s a motivational film and, ultimately, a good one. It doesn’t have to be great to get the job done.