Based (loosely, one suspects) on an article that appeared in The New Yorker magazine, filmmaker Marc Abraham's Flash of Genius recounts the true story of Detroit mathematics professor Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear), whose workshop tinkering during the 1960s led to the invention of the intermittent windshield wiper. Partnering with a friend (played by Dermot Mulroney), Kearns approaches the Ford company with a proposal to manufacture the wiper exclusively for the auto giant—which then copies his patented design and incorporates it into their new models after giving him a polite brush-off. An infuriated Kearns brings suit against the mammoth corporation—a seemingly quixotic undertaking that eventually wrecks his marriage and sends him into a mental institution. Lauren Graham is superb in the underwritten role of Robert's long-suffering wife, and Alan Alda has a scene-stealing turn as the big-talking lawyer whom Kearns initially hires. But this is Kinnear's show all the way, and when he finally has his day in court, you'll be reminded of Jimmy Stewart in Frank Capra's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington—another average Joe whose faith in the American system was shaken by the duplicity of powerful men, but who triumphed in the end. Recommended. (E. Hulse)
Flash of Genius
Universal, 120 min., PG-13, DVD: $29.98, Feb. 17 Volume 24, Issue 1
Flash of Genius
Star Ratings
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