IMDb >
Real Genius (1985)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsReal Genius (1985) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 11 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
7 August 1985 (USA) moreTagline:
Who ELSE can turn lasers into light shows, aircraft into armchairs, and high-tech into hijinks? morePlot:
Teenage geniuses deal with their abilities while developing a laser. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
2 wins & 2 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Discuss: Have We Entered a New Wave of Hollywood Politics? (From Cinematical. 9 February 2009, 9:32 AM, PST)
dream cast: hypothetical ‘Real Genius’ movie
(From FlickFilosopher. 8 January 2009, 12:49 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Jiffy Pop moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Val Kilmer | ... | Chris Knight | |
| Gabriel Jarret | ... | Mitch Taylor (as Gabe Jarret) | |
| Michelle Meyrink | ... | Jordan Cochran | |
| William Atherton | ... | Prof. Jerry Hathaway | |
| Jon Gries | ... | Lazlo Hollyfeld (as Jonathan Gries) | |
| Patti D'Arbanville | ... | Sherry Nugil | |
| Stacy Peralta | ... | Shuttle Pilot | |
| Daniel Ades | ... | Laser Ray Victim | |
| Andres Aybar | ... | Bartender | |
| Louis Giambalvo | ... | Maj. Carnagle | |
| Ed Lauter | ... | David Decker | |
| Charles Shull | ... | Air Force General | |
| Beau Billingslea | ... | George | |
| Charles Parks | ... | Larry | |
| Sean Frye | ... | Boy at Science Fair |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
108 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Metrocolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Argentina:Atp | Iceland:L | Australia:PG | New Zealand:PG | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PGFun Stuff
Trivia:
In the scene where Hollyfeld walks in with his cartons of sweepstakes entries, the book Mitch is using as a pillow during his nightmare is "Gravitation" by Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler. moreGoofs:
Continuity: Chris fakes a quarter to put in a vending machine where drinks cost 20 cents, yet there is no sound of change being returned. moreSoundtrack:
The Tuff Do What? moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Real Genius (1985) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| The Nutty Professor | City of Shoulders and Noses | A Beautiful Mind | GoldenEye | Porky's |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |












The imagination and quality of Hollywood movies in the early and mid 80's had regressed back to the pre "Bonnie and Clyde" days (the early and mid-60's being the worst ever period of American movie-making).
Fortunately there were a few gems like "Real Genius" to sustain audiences. Any film that features a memorable moment like Deborah Foreman's articulation of her standards for a male companion, a memorable character like Michelle Meyrink's hyper-kinetic Jordon, and the memorable sight of a house exploding from the force of a giant Jiffy Pop container can never be forgotten.
And who doesn't feel good just watching the neighborhood kids play in a mountain of popcorn to the sound of Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants To Rule The World".
Although "Real Genius" has not totally escaped the ravages of the past 20 years, it has held up reasonably well. Now it can even be appreciated as a sort of time capsule, demonstrating rather strikingly the complete computerization of the applied sciences that has occurred during the relatively short time period since its 1985 release. Other than Kent's incidental use of an early computer in his dorm room and a mostly decorative monitor in the lab, these now essential machines are absent from this techno film. Amazing!
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.