Skip over navigation

Sofa Cinema

Gifts - NEW  |   Help   |   Sign in

Flash of Genius (2009) Certificate 12

Flash of Genius
Play trailer

Sign up

Rated 3.5 stars
Average rating
(67%)
 
Starring: Greg Kinnear | Lauren Graham | Dermot Mulroney | Alan Alda
Director: Marc Abraham
Studio: OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 119 mins
Genres: Drama
Languages: English
Released: July 20, 2009

The Kearns were a typical 1960s Detroit family, trying to live their version of the American Dream. Local university professor Bob married teacher Phyllis and, by their mid-30s, had six kids who brought them a hectic but satisfying Midwestern existence. When Bob invents a device that would eventually be used by every car in the world, the Kearns think they have struck gold. But their aspirations are dashed after the auto giants who embraced Bob's creation unceremoniously shunned the man who invented it. Ignored, threatened and then buried in years of litigation, Bob is haunted by what was done to his family and their future. He becomes a man obsessed with justice and the conviction that his life's work--or for that matter, anyone's work--be acknowledged by those who stood to benefit. And while paying the toll for refusing to compromise his dignity, this everyday David will try the unthinkable: to bring Goliath to his knees.

Screenshots

Rating of 2 stars out of 5
Time Out

This cautionary tale for the Dragons Den set takes in the career of Detroit-based amateur inventor Dr Robert...

Highest rated reviews

12 out of 12 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4 stars
Strong performance, another inspiring film

A Customer from Milton Keynes, 24th July, 2009

'Flash of Genius' is the one of the known stories that changed the face of US automotive history. Dr. Robert Kearns is a morally-conscious inventor/professor who fights against the Ford Motor Company for not claiming a patent on his invention. In his path to claiming he invented the intermittent windshield wiper, he refuses to take a settled payment for his concerns from Ford and takes on the mission of finding what he needs to support his claim as a case in court as a family man and on his lonesome. The film, based on another inspiring human story and has a captivating performance from Greg Kinnear, authentic props of the 50s, facts about the justifications of US law on patents (with analogies) and some insights to the workings of a intermittent windshield wiper, and a storyline and moral that will resonate with people of the engineering/automotive industry and working-day humans looking inner to their creations and how they claim to be theirs in the voice of the public and in court. Please do bear in mind that this a Hollywood take on a published article from The New York Times about Kearns' battle against the corporation presented solely in this issue and it is not just Ford but another one of the Big Three US automakers mentioned in this film.

Read all highest rated reviews

2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 3 stars
Good old fashioned film making

Scott Thompson from London, England, 23rd August, 2009

Decent movie with Greg Kinnear on excellent form and a strong supporting cast including Alan Alda. Flash of Genius is very much from the old school of film making - solid, unfussy direction...no flashy camera shots and post modern flourishes here. As a result, it does feel like a worthy TV movie at times but that's a small criticism. This is a fascinating story that grips you from beginning to end and gives you much to think about as the credits roll.

Read all highest rated reviews

2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 3 stars
Worthy but not dull

matt from shrewsbury, 13th August, 2009

Solid drama of the type they used to make. Although the subject matter is specific, the ever dependable Greg Kinnear and supporting cast, and convincing setting make it accessible to anyone.

Read all highest rated reviews

*** May contain spoilers ***


Rated 5 stars
Justice served

studleydave from , 11th March, 2010

A biographical film, telling the story of Robert William Kearns (March 10, 1927 – February 9, 2005) who took Ford Motor Company to court for patent infringement in 1978. With an obsession about eyes and how they work, based on an injury he suffered, the film starts out showing the conception of the idea behind the intermittent wiper. His unassuming innocence, dedication to his passion for inventing, and desire to always improve his family's well-being really shine throughout this film. Ultimately, his concern and strong sense of morals and values see him struggle through many tribulations, all of which cause him and his family varying degrees of suffering, leaving him divorcecd and fighting alone. His obsession and commitment to clearing his name are inspiring concepts. Not least given the aforementioned pain felt for many years, as the research and courtcase evolve. Upon it's release, many critics felt it lacked a personality - a depth of emotion and sense of psychological struggle. I felt the movie to be gentle, with an ongoing sense of sadness that never really peaks or troughs. My personal feeling is that this movie wouldn't have flowed as naturally if it had. For those among you who like a film with a sense of truth, and of justice served, watch this film. It's trust in family, in strength and in principles is what kept me glued.

Read all highest rated reviews

Most recent reviews

Rated 3 stars
Ford as the villain

A Customer from Dorchester, 31st January, 2010

This is a true story of one man's fight for recognition. He's invented something which the Ford Motor Company, (among other Motor Companies) covet so much that they pinch his idea and thus begins a long and draining battle by one family man to gain his due desserts. It's a stirring tale, very well-acted and scripted and it keeps you guessing right up to the end.

Read all recent reviews

Rated 3 stars
A bit boring

Chantal from , 26th December, 2009

I like those kind of true story goliath vs story but this one is slow paced and frankly the guy is a bit too obsessed to my liking.

Read all recent reviews

Rated 3 stars
Flash of Genius

A Customer from Stoke-on-Trent, 24th December, 2009

An intresting film. It's amazing how we take so many thing for granted and not realize how they came to be. Things we used everyday and the struggle people had to go through to prove their idears would make life easer for us. How sombody has the inner strength to prove they are right and take on such a big company and win.

Read all recent reviews