Flash of Genius

I love Biopics. Do you? You should. Why? Because I said so. This is a good one about one man's fight for justice and what is deservedly his. Recognition is his main goal, not money. This is the story of Robert Kearns. That is a bit of an unknown name in the realm of relative history....or common knowledge history maybe. Kearns (Kinnear) is a college professor and self proclaimed inventor. Up until now he hasn't done much with his side career. Then one day, much like today (check local listings), lightning strikes in the cerebrum of Mr. Kearns. Why do windshield wipers have an off and on switch only? What if it is raining just a little bit? What if it is pooring so hard 25mph is too fast to see? He diagnosed this issue and came up with something that I take for granted. The Intermittent windshield wiper. Multiple speeds based on the intensity of the rain. He comes up with the idea of a multi speed wiper motor but he can't perfect the solution. He knows he has something,  but to make it feasible is the trick. He finally gets it with a blender 3 speed motor and his future begins. Unbeknownst to him, it is going to be a stressful, bleak future. He takes his idea to the big motor companies. Being in Detroit, it only makes sense he tries to sell it local. Ford Motor Co. ends up integrating it into their first Mustang line without giving him the "inventor" credit or paycheck. Now the legal battle starts. A blue-ish collar Detroit man taking on Ford Motors in court. Not looking good, but he doesn't back down, and his family is there every step of the way. It really is a brilliant film that displays the mentality of someone who must succeed, and who also has enough dignity and pride to not be bought out when there is nowhere else to turn. The beginning is about his new invention, but the heart of the movie takes place in the court room. We are pulling for Robert, but it never looks good for him. His family is his rock and as long as he has them, he will be a winner. There is a very clear turning point when they offer to pay him an obscene amount of money, though no recognition. He has too much pride for that and so the battle advances. Definitely worth the look. Of course that goes for anything Kinnear does (If I reviewed Television, you would definitely read about the Mini-Series "The Kennedys"-which was brilliant), but for now...

NBM rates Flash of Genius - Phenomenal