Einsteins of the 1980's

REAL GENIUS (1985)

Reviewed by Jerry Saravia
(Originally viewed in 1985)

The 1980's is relatively known for having dead teenagers in slasher films or dumb teenagers in ski resorts or fraternity parties, sometimes exposing their sexual organs through bathroom walls. But there were also films where we had smart teenagers, especially "Risky Business," "WarGames," John Hughes pictures, "The Manhattan Project," and of course "Real Genius." "Real Genius" is not made up of any genius comedy writers but it is exceedingly funny, sweet-tempered and generally great fun. Even a party scene in a pool isn't played up with slow-motion shots of women's butts or bouncing breasts. This movie has a genteel innocence to it and that makes it special and rewarding.

15-year-old Mitch Taylor (Gabriel Jarret) has been accepted into Pacific Tech, a university full of math-science whiz kids. Mitch has been selected to work on a laser beam project with a slacker genius named Chris Knight (Val Kilmer), who believes that pranks and general laziness can help offset tension from vigorous class studies. William Atherton is the arrogant Professor Jerry Hathaway who hopes that Mitch and Chris can help develop a powerful new high-energy laser. The purpose of this laser is unknown to the students - the good professor has been hired by the CIA to develop a laser that can be used as a weapon. Meanwhile, we get pranks galore in the dormitories such as hallway floors of ice, liquid nitrogen used to make quarters for vending machines, a car placed inside a room (still can't figure out how they managed that one), an explosive apple, lasers leading to a pool party, etc.

"Real Genius" is written by Neal Israel and Pat Proft (both helmed the occasionally smile-inducing "Bachelor Party") who have crafted delirious and outrageous subject matter and play it with a relaxed and laid-back tone. There is no obstructive camerawork either - the movie simply observes these geniuses and lets us marvel at their eccentricities. Mitch is possibly the most normal student yet he is occasionally the brunt of all jokes as in his recorded phone call to his mother that is played in the speakers at the cafeteria (oh, that would be humiliating). Michelle Mayrink is the nervous insomniac who can't even catch up with her own thoughts. Most intriguing is Jon Gries as a former genius student, the smartest of all time, who lives in a closet! I would have loved to learn more about him but at 108 minutes, there is only so much you can reveal. Deborah Foreman fans will love seeing her as someone whom Chris flirts with - her dialogue alone is priceless.

The coup de grace, though, is Val Kilmer as Chris, who gives his role and the movie a major dose of adrenaline - he is a high-wire, electrified presence who just wants to have fun and party with all the babes. Kilmer is intoxicating to watch and one wonders why he didn't get the chance to do more comedies. Kilmer also grounds his character in a reality base - "We have to get even with Kent (a nerd adversary). It is a moral imperative."

"Real Genius" also has the hallmarks of other Smart Teenager Movies - it assumes that adults are dolts and that the kids, with their vast knowledge of computers, math and science, will take over. Study hard kids, but also have fun while doing it. Not a bad message.