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Real Genius

  • 19851985
  • PGPG
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
34K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,328
161
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:59
2 Videos
92 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Romance
  • Sci-Fi

An uptight teenage prodigy enters a top engineering college, but feels awkward among the freewheeling students. When a professor aims to turn their laser project into a military weapon, he a... Read allAn uptight teenage prodigy enters a top engineering college, but feels awkward among the freewheeling students. When a professor aims to turn their laser project into a military weapon, he and his offbeat roommate plot to ruin the plan.An uptight teenage prodigy enters a top engineering college, but feels awkward among the freewheeling students. When a professor aims to turn their laser project into a military weapon, he and his offbeat roommate plot to ruin the plan.

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
34K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,328
161
  • Director
    • Martha Coolidge
  • Writers
    • Neal Israel(story)
    • Pat Proft(story)
    • PJ Torokvei(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Val Kilmer
    • Gabriel Jarret
    • Michelle Meyrink
Top credits
  • Director
    • Martha Coolidge
  • Writers
    • Neal Israel(story)
    • Pat Proft(story)
    • PJ Torokvei(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Val Kilmer
    • Gabriel Jarret
    • Michelle Meyrink
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 148User reviews
    • 58Critic reviews
    • 71Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos2

    Real Genius
    Trailer 1:59
    Real Genius
    The Evolution of Nerds
    Video 3:44
    The Evolution of Nerds

    Photos92

    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer, Michelle Meyrink, Jon Gries, Gabriel Jarret, and Mark Kamiyama in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer, Gabriel Jarret, and Robert Prescott in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer and Gabriel Jarret in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer, Patti D'Arbanville, Jon Gries, and Mark Kamiyama in Real Genius (1985)
    Patti D'Arbanville, Jon Gries, and Mark Kamiyama in Real Genius (1985)
    Val Kilmer, Patti D'Arbanville, Jon Gries, and Mark Kamiyama in Real Genius (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Val Kilmer
    Val Kilmer
    • Chris Knightas Chris Knight
    Gabriel Jarret
    Gabriel Jarret
    • Mitch Tayloras Mitch Taylor
    Michelle Meyrink
    Michelle Meyrink
    • Jordan Cochranas Jordan Cochran
    William Atherton
    William Atherton
    • Prof. Jerry Hathawayas Prof. Jerry Hathaway
    Jon Gries
    Jon Gries
    • Lazlo Hollyfeldas Lazlo Hollyfeld
    • (as Jonathan Gries)
    Patti D'Arbanville
    Patti D'Arbanville
    • Sherry Nugilas Sherry Nugil
    Stacy Peralta
    Stacy Peralta
    • Shuttle Pilotas Shuttle Pilot
    Daniel Ades
    • Laser Ray Victimas Laser Ray Victim
    Andres Aybar
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    Louis Giambalvo
    Louis Giambalvo
    • Major Carnagleas Major Carnagle
    Ed Lauter
    Ed Lauter
    • David Deckeras David Decker
    Charles Shull
    • Air Force Generalas Air Force General
    Beau Billingslea
    Beau Billingslea
    • Georgeas George
    Charles Parks
    • Larryas Larry
    Sean Frye
    Sean Frye
    • Boy at Science Fairas Boy at Science Fair
    JoAnn Willette
    JoAnn Willette
    • Girl at Science Fairas Girl at Science Fair
    Ina Gould
    • Old Ladyas Old Lady
    Nadine Vix
    • Student at Science Fairas Student at Science Fair
    • Director
      • Martha Coolidge
    • Writers
      • Neal Israel(story) (screenplay)
      • Pat Proft(story) (screenplay)
      • PJ Torokvei(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Mitch Taylor is one of the youngest students ever accepted to a university known for its programs for geniuses. He partners up with his roommate, science club legend Chris Knight, on a project to develop a high-powered laser. Together with their hyperkinetic friends, they employ their intellects in the pursuit of bigger blasts, practical jokes, and a deeper understanding of what real genius means. When they find out that their professor intends to turn their work over to the military for use as a weapon, they decide to get even. —Lordship <lordship@juno.com>
    • nerd
    • secret door
    • high school
    • pool party
    • science fair
    • 55 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Who ELSE can turn lasers into light shows, aircraft into armchairs, and high-tech into hijinks?
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Romance
      • Sci-Fi
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Lazlo Hollyfeld (Jon Gries) sends in a large number of entries to the Frito-Lay contest, he is mirroring the actions of Caltech students Steve Klein, Dave Novikoff and Barry Megdal, who, in 1974, used a similar strategy to win a McDonald's sweepstakes. Their entries came to roughly 1/5th of the total entries and won them a station wagon, $3,000 cash and $1,500 in food gift certificates.
    • Goofs
      They say the ice in the hall would sublimate directly to gas. If that would be true, it would be impossible to skate or glide on this kind of ice as the building of water is essential for gliding/skidding on ice. However, Ick never reveals what the substance is, and it's possible his mystery substance can both sublime and provide for skating.
    • Quotes

      Mitch: You know, um, something strange happened to me this morning...

      Chris Knight: Was it a dream where you see yourself standing in sort of sun-god robes on a pyramid with a thousand naked women screaming and throwing little pickles at you?

      Mitch: No...

      Chris Knight: Why am I the only one who has that dream?

    • Alternate versions
      In one pan-and-scan version, when Jordan looks through the hole the laser made through a tree, the camera stays on her while another pan-and-scan version cuts aside to Chris for his line and to catch him turning his head when she says, "Look!"
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Fright Night/Real Genius/Weird Science/The Coca-Cola Kid (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      You Took Advantage of Me
      Written by Richard Rodgers (uncredited) and Lorenz Hart (uncredited)

      Performed by Carmen McRae

      Courtesy of MCA Records

    User reviews148

    Review
    Top review
    A smart film
    First off: This is an 80s movie. It contains within it certain aspects of the 80s film genre which may cause you to cringe. A youthful, innocent boy gets corrupted by the feckless rebel; a vicious adult has his own agenda; boy gets seduced by teenage girl who may or may not be the current sex symbol. All generalizations aside, the roles in this movie are well-written and well-played. Val Kilmer is at his absolute best, William Atherton is as sly as Jeffrey Jones is oafish in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." The supporting heroine is annoying and unneeded, but who needs her when you've got Jonathan Gries to laugh at? All-around fun and plenty of one-liners that'll have you wishing you could be so witty.
    helpful•25
    6
    • Stalwart
    • Jan 19, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 7, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Imperial (Poland)
      • Sony Movie Channel (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Was für ein Genie
    • Filming locations
      • San Diego, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Delphi III Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $8,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $12,952,019
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,557,180
      • Aug 11, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $12,952,019
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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