Customer Reviews

Genius

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Despite its slow pace in the beginning this movie is a classic 'how to write a first script'.

A senior in highschool can only date his dream girl if he becomes smart. The only person who can help him is his teacher with no self esteem for herself or respect for others.

A generic story with a fresh spin makes the premises of genius. Twists and turns are placed so that every time we anticipate a certain direction we're pitched a curve ball.

The locations are used cleverly. The same few locations are used again and again without us being aware of it. Every character has a specific purpose to the story. And they all play vital roles in influencing the two lead actors' character arcs. Special effects are used sparingly but at vital turning points in the story. The end twist may be original but we can almost expect something of this nature is going to hit us.

'El Mariachi' and 'Reservoir Dogs' are two must read scripts for all first time writers and producers. They show us how a good story can be told with minumum resources. This one falls in that category. The only trick these guys pull off is that they end up making their flick look like a stylish Hollywood movie.

The female lead glows in an eye-catching performance of a teacher who has accepted her morally and socially low existence. The boy is a clean cut student who takes upon himself a task of introducing the teacher to her 'lost dreams'.

Slowly she begins to realize the person she was and who she has become. Who is helping who and why who is helping whom is the big mystery which unravels into a bang of an ending.

This is a story of friendship and faith and small acts of kindness. Something like a modern day version of 'Pygmalion' with a twist.

This story could have been told in one thousand and one ways. But they chose that one perfect way.

Although with occasional flaws in some respects, this movie was very well directed and acted. The elements of conflict were established early on, and the tension they created held me in their grip. The teacher plays the part of a troubled and depressed choco-holic who has given up on everything. But her quirkiness is somehow attractive. She doesn't care for those people around her or her students. I loved this part because I'm sick of movies where the teacher has an infectoius passion for life and forces his students to learn poetry and this causes all their lives to improve.

Virtually every scene is embedded with symbolism. And many things that are said have a double meaning. Mike's final word, 'Ready', is brilliantly placed.

Mike seems like a normal hormone obsessed kid till very slowly his dyslexia starts getting revealed. But Mike's educated and rich dad refuses to accept that his son is 'disabled'. This is what creates the driving conflict of the movie.

The camera angles are exquisitely chosen. The same scene is shown from twenty different angles. Which almost made me feel like I was present with the characters and I absorbed the surroundings.

The standard goofy teen cameo subplot is interjected throughout.

And finally when we reach a satisfying conclusion something very incredible happens. Everything we believed. Every judgement we made about the characters and the story is flipped on its head. The final scene is what makes it worth the money. This one scene elevates the movie from good to excellent. And leaves you thinking for a long time.

This is the kind of film that is made all too infrequently these days. Really good actors, who don't look like movie stars and are completely believable, even the bit parts are played to a tee. My faves: the charismatic teenagers who are colorful enough to have their own sitcom. Stunning cinematography of New York's upper east side harkens back to the great Woody Allen films "Annie Hall" and "Mighty Aphrodite". A clear and simple story that hides a nice twist, and a great message (I'm not giving it away). I don't think it's a film for real little kids, or gen-y'ers looking for sex and violence, but for everyone else, its one of those experiences that makes you feel better about the world, and better about yourself.

I found this to be a beautiful & sensitive film. It
is a blessing that it was not made by a large studio
as they could not deliver the subtlety of Genius.

It is a delight to watch a boy who had strugled with
life, find reason & courage to turn it all arround &
the lives of those around him.

Who would have thought that the kid who seemed to be
the dumbest could teach and change so much?

While set in our real world, this story has an
indefineable feeling of magic, which explodes at the
end.

I got tingles! The ending was a shockkkkk. No question - this one has the best ending along with the 'Sixth Sense'.

A spectacular ending to an unspectacular movie. The ending sent electric tingles down my spine.

I've been DP on many student movies. And I can tell you I have no idea how the DP on this movie managed some of those camera angles. Technically the photography in this movie constantly pushes boundaries. The shots in the last scene are crazy! And the dolly-out shot - i would love to know how they did that. The whole movie is a good lesson for all apsiring DPs.

I found really interesting the way many of the scenes flowed with sexual inuendos especially when both the teacher and boy are wet in the fountain, or when he has her blindfolded inside the cab, or when they're in his home and he starts taking off his shirt.

That aside, this is a very thought out movie. Every word of dialogue counts. Every character is superb and I especially loved every moment the teacher becomes a slightly better person.

I have never seen Manhattan look so beautiful. The scenary is absolutely gorgeous.

Genius defies numerous stereotypes. And definitely packs an electric conclusion.

I caught this film at the New York Independent Film Festival last year and remember it as being one of the best films there. It deals intelligently and honestly with a story of an inner city kid with a learning disability without lecturing us about the problem. The film is entertaining and unpredictable while remaining educational and thought provoking. A good buy.