Review of Real Genius (1985) by Ryan V — 06 Nov 2011

While there were a lot of popular teen comedies from the 80â??s only a few really standout in retrospect, this film along with most of John Hughes work is amongst them.

The story follows teenage prodigy Mitch who is recruited by the fictitious Pacific Tech University so that he might join other top young scientific minds bent on developing a powerful laser ostensibly to advance science but in reality to provide the military with a weapon for their arsenal.

Mitch is played by Gabriel Jarret who is adequate in the role, while the supporting cast includes William Atherton (Die Hard, Ghostbusters) as the professor in charge and Michele Meyrink playing the hyperactive Jordan who becomes Mitchâ??s love interest, Meyrink is very effective in her role but didnâ??t have much of a career subsequently. The big star of the film though is Val Kilmer who plays Chris Knight who mentors the uptight Mitch both academically and socially.

The films director is Martha Coolidge who seems to have had less success than her talent might have justified.

The film offers an interesting portrayal of college campus life in the 1980â??s (at least) which seems for the most part far more accurate than other depictions. The film also covers the fairly common 1980â??s theme of a government conspiracy.

In closing the film features a great choice of closing title music, at least for the 1980â??s with "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears.