Review of Real Genius (1985) by Carol L — 08 Aug 2009

The best way to review this movie is by using a metaphor which, unfortunately, spoils JACKIE BROWN (if you haven't seen it). So if you've not yet watched QT's 3rd film, and want to, please come back after you've seen it.

The rest of you still here? Okay. You know that scene towards the end of Jackie Brown where Ordell shoots Louis and then asks his corpse 'What happened to you, man? You used to be beautiful' (paraphrasing here). That's sort of the way Val Kilmer's performance in this film feels, looking back. It's a bolt of energy, and nearly impossible to square with the bulky, passive presence he's become. Needed too, because the rest of the movie feeds off the waves of energy coming off Kilmer, and by the end of the film, when houses are exploding in clouds of popcorn and the like, it all seems to make sense. Not a film that will change your life, but it is a lot of fun. (He said, nostalgically).