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Flash of Genius (2008)

PG-13  |   |  Biography, Drama  |  3 October 2008 (USA)
7.0
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Ratings: 7.0/10 from 13,808 users   Metascore: 57/100
Reviews: 45 user | 98 critic | 25 from Metacritic.com

Robert Kearns takes on the Detroit automakers who he claims stole his idea for the intermittent windshield wiper.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Tim Eddis ...
Maryland Cop #1
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Maryland Cop #2
Karl Pruner ...
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Shae Norris ...
Steven Woodworth ...
Victoria Learn ...
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Ronn Sarosiak ...
Gavin Kuiack ...
Ben Kuiak ...
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Storyline

Based on the true story of college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns' long battle with the U.S. automobile industry, Flash of Genius tells the tale of one man whose fight to receive recognition for his ingenuity would come at a heavy price. But this determined engineer refused to be silenced, and he took on the corporate titans in a battle that nobody thought he could win. 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-thirties, 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 ... Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Corporations have time, money, and power on their side. All Bob Kearns had was the truth. See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

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Language:

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Release Date:

3 October 2008 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Un éclair de génie  »

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$2,251,075 (USA) (3 October 2008)

Gross:

$4,234,040 (USA) (17 October 2008)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

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Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Marc Abraham submitted numerous revisions to the screenplay to Universal Studios chief Stacey Snider who repeatedly told him that the reason the script was a hard sell was because the character of Kearns was not likeable. Abraham stuck to his guns however, insisting that this made it more realistic (and having worked alongside the real Kearns for many years, he knew his subject). When Universal underwent a management change, his project finally received the greenlight. See more »

Goofs

After the first meeting with Ford there is a orange '69 Camaro that stops on the bridge, the wheels on the Camaro are clearly aftermarket and were not made in that era. See more »

Quotes

Bob Kearns: Whatever happened to this little thing called justice we talked about?
Gregory Lawson: This is justice, Bob. This is how justice is dispensed in this country - with checkbooks. There are no brass bands, you know, there are no ticker tape parades, the mayor doesn't give you the key to the city and call you a hero. You get a check, and that check makes the lives of you and your family a little easier... a little more pleasant. It's that simple.
See more »

Crazy Credits

There's a typo in the end credits, listing Bill Smitrovich as 'Bill Smitrovitch', although his name is spelled correctly in the main cast credits. See more »

Connections

References Frankenstein (1931) See more »

Soundtracks

Stage Door Queen
Written by Dick Wagner (as Richard Wagner)
Performed by Ursa Major
Courtesy of Spirit Music Group
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Well acted and executed, but slightly mundane.
31 July 2008 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

Saw the very first showing of this tonight at the Traverse City Film Festival. It was a good movie and Greg Kinnear was very good. The film felt too restricted and hyper focused on the primary movie subject, Bob Kearns. It could have been made better by infusing a bit of side-story from the conflicting characters points of view. Bob Kearns low point in the movie also seemed to happen abruptly with no run-in to the plot twist, so much so that I felt like I missed something. Lauren Graham offered a fine performance, as did Dermot Mulroney's limited screen time. Overall I liked the movie but felt more could have been done to fill some gaps.


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Message Boards

Recent Posts
I stopped watching the movie after the scene... blam_web
Intermittent wipers are useless aland-16
Karma is a bitch. mtgentry81
100 Things I learned from Flash of Genius paschel-jd
Reminds me of what Edison did to Nikola Tesla.... Roadghost69
Modern car in the background..lawl danat86
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