Real Genius *** (1985, Val Kilmer, Gabriel Jarret, Michelle Meyrink, William Atherton, Jonathan Gries, Patti D’Arbanville) – Classic Movie Review 13,244

Martha Coolidge’s 1985 feel-good fun American teen science fiction comedy film Real Genius stars Val Kilmer, Gabriel Jarret, Michelle Meyrink and William Atherton.

Director Martha Coolidge’s 1985 feel-good fun American teen science fiction comedy film Real Genius stars Val Kilmer, Gabriel Jarret, Michelle Meyrink, William Atherton, Robert Prescott, Jonathan Gries, Ed Lauter, and Patti D’Arbanville.

Super-smart American senior schoolkids are working on a chemical laser project on the campus of Pacific Tech when they discover that their genius is being used in a dangerous military scheme organised by their rotten teacher, Professor Jerry Hathaway (William Atherton), covertly hired by the CIA.

Hathaway recruits high school student Mitch Taylor (Gabriel Jarret), a laser physics genius in Mitch is roomed with Chris Knight, a slacker genius in his senior year.

The handsome young Val Kilmer, aged 26, leads the teenage gang appealingly (though it seems a bit of a stretch for him to portray a real genius) in this sometimes very funny, sometimes satirical but predictable classroom tale. Still, the script provides a satisfying tally of laughs and the direction is particularly fast-paced and sprightly.

Real Genius is directed by Martha Coolidge, runs 104 minutes, is made by Delphi III Productions, is released by Tri-Star Pictures, is written by Neal Israel, Pat Proft and Peter Torokvei, is shot by Vilmos Zsigmond, is produced by Brian Grazer, and is scored by Thomas Newman.

It was a hit, costing $8 million and taking $13 million (North America), even in a crowded year of similar hit films: Back to the Future, My Science Project, and Weird Science.

The cast are Val Kilmer as Chris Knight, Gabriel Jarret as Mitch Taylor, Michelle Meyrink as Jordan Cochran, William Atherton as Professor Jerry Hathaway, Robert Prescott as Kent, Jon Gries as Lazlo Hollyfeld, Mark Kamiyama as “Ick” Ikagami, Ed Lauter as David Decker, Louis Giambalvo as Major Don Carnagle, Patti D’Arbanville as Sherry Nugil, Severn Darden as Dr. Meredith, Beau Billingslea as George, Joanne Baron as Mrs. Taylor, Sandy Martin as Mrs. Meredith, Dean Devlin as Milton, Yuji Okumoto as Fenton, Deborah Foreman as Susan Decker, Stacy Peralta as Shuttle Pilot.

Val Kilmer (born December 31, 1959) was fresh off his hit Top Secret! (1984). With Top Gun (1986), Willow (1988) and The Doors (1991) to come, he was on a roll.

Gabriel Jarret (born Gabriel Kronsberg; January 1, 1970) is best known as the young genius Mitch Taylor in Real Genius.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,244

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