We’ve all come up with an idea that we think is perfect and will revolutionize some aspect of life. Everyone has, though most of us never do anything about it. The law that regulates inventions and their patents is brought to life in the 2008 biographical film “Flash of Genius.”
The movie focuses on the real life story of Robert Kearns, an American inventor who engaged in legal warfare with automotive giants Ford and Chrysler. With trials and proceedings that spanned nearly two decades, Kearns fought ferociously with the Detroit leviathans over an infringement on a product he invented.
Most of us go about our daily lives taking for granted the tools we use for virtually everything we do. Whether at work or at play, people often fail to recognize that at some point in time, someone had to create everything we use. From the chair you sit at to the car you ride in, and the computer or tablet you’re using to read this review right now, someone else created it for you.
“Flash of Genius” opens with college professor and family man Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear) and his wife Phyllis (Lauren Graham) driving through a rain shower in the early 1960’s. Blind in one eye, Kearns has difficulties seeing clearly due to the consistent motion of the windshield wipers on the car, and in his own personal “flash of genius” comes up with the idea for windshield wipers that can operate at intermittent speeds.
Kearns creates a prototype of the invention in his basement and files for a patent, and sometime later forges a verbal agreement with Ford who plans to use the product. When a period of time elapses without hearing back from Ford, Kearns begins to grow worrisome. His frustrations mount when, at an auto convention, he sees Ford’s newest model Mustang equipped with the wipers he invented.
Despite the urging of his best friend and financial backer Gil (Dermot Mulroney) not to pursue the matter, Kearns files a lawsuit against Ford. Like something from the mind and pages of a John Grisham novel, the film moves to the courtroom where a thrilling legal showdown takes place, with Kearns representing himself and going after a powerful corporation that has no financial limitations.
“Flash of Genius” not only tells a real life story that most people aren’t familiar with, but does so in an intriguing and exciting way. The common man versus the evil corporate giant plays out exactly as it did to Kearns back in the 70s (and sadly still does today). As Kearns explains it’s “not about money, it’s about right and wrong.” We watch as the trial drags on and on for years, becoming an obsession for Kearns, and causing a severe strain on his marriage and family, and his own mental well being.
“Flash of Genius” employs the talents of a bevy of great actors, many of which you know only from character performances. Lauren Graham (TV’s “Gilmore Girls” and “Parenthood”) is strong as Phyllis, the dutiful old school era wife of Kearns. Dermot Mulroney is a face you’ll swear you know from somewhere but may not be able to pinpoint exactly where. And as a perfect antagonist, Mitch Pileggi is flawless as the cold and callous Ford executive Macklin Tyler.
Greg Kinnear has fastened himself as one of my favorite actors. With appearances in numerous movies and television shows (I plan to watch the upcoming Fox series “Rake” for the simple reason that he is the lead) Kinnear takes a stranglehold on the character of Robert Kearns – from the films onset of a mild mannered everyman with an idea, through the courtroom showdown where the legally inexperienced inventor attempts to duel with Ford and their high powered team of attorneys. Kinnear’s charm bursts through the screen from his start as a loving husband and father and through the end where he takes on the impossible, even warming up to the hardened trial judge (legendary character actor Bill Smitrovich). As Kinnear dazzles in the courtroom setting, you’ll find yourself rooting for him like its game seven of the World Series.
“Flash of Genius” is a great film for entertainment sake, and for its historical impact on the automotive world as it is today.
by – Matt Christopher
1 Comment
Earth calling Matt. This film is not entertaining but dull and boring. After watching this film I decided Barney the purple dinosaur had more interest and excitement for all. When will people learn Greg Kinnear is not a leading actor but a serviceable supporting actor.