Review of Flash of Genius (2008) by Scott K — 05 Jul 2009

Movies have to be in production for a few years before they are introduced so it is likely coincidence that this film came out just as respect for the Big 3 automakers has dropped to an all time low.

Greg Kinnear plays Dr. Bob Kearns, the man who invented the electric intermittent windshield wiper. Lauren Graham plays his wife, Phyllis. His more pragmatic business partner, Gil Privick, is played by Dermont Mulroney. Kinnear is on the screen for most of the film's running time. Graham and Mulroney are supporting players. The actors make do with what the script has given them. Graham's role, in particular, feels underwritten.

The movie suffers from a bit of an identification crisis. It starts out as lesson about making the right business decisions before switching into a courtroom drama in the second half. The impact on his family is explored but not to the extend that it is the center of the story. Much of this impact is left to be inferred by the audience.

This is a good film but it could have been much better had the director been able to find the right balance between the Ford court case and the impact on his family.