Genius

Name: Genius
Genre: Biography, Drama
Released: June 10, 2016
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 56
Cast: Colin Firth, Dominic West, Guy Pearce, Jude Law, Laura Linney

2016

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 23 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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Genius

Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: June 10, 2016

Starring: Colin Firth, Dominic West, Guy Pearce, Jude Law, Laura Linney, Nicole Kidman

Summary: A chronicle of the complex friendship and transformative professional relationship between the world-renowned book editor Maxwell Perkins (Colin Firth) and the larger-than-life literary giant Thomas Wolfe (Jude Law).

Director: Michael Grandage

Genre(s): Biography, Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 104 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Critic Reviews

Chicago Sun-Times - Richard Roeper

Jun 16, 2016

Even as I was rolling my eyes, I was digging just about every stylized visual flourish, every big performance, every overly dramatic confrontation featuring first-rate actors letting loose with unabashed gusto and veracity, even when they were bellowing lines stating the obvious. Read full review

Slant Magazine - Oleg Ivanov

Jun 9, 2016

It makes a convincing argument for viewing Thomas Wolfe's work as a product of the excess and exuberance of the 1920s. Read full review

RogerEbert.com - Glenn Kenny

Jun 10, 2016

I’m not the only one who was at least slightly taken aback, though, by a persistent quirk in the movie’s casting, which is that not one of the Lions of American Literature in this picture was played by, well, an American. Read full review

Boston Globe - Tom Russo

Jun 16, 2016

The film is surprisingly light on conflict and definitely goes a bit heavy on period bromantic bonhomie. Even so, it’s an intriguing study of the personalities and torturous process behind some of the early 20th century’s great writing. Read full review

Arizona Republic - Bill Goodykoontz

Jun 16, 2016

If you’re a literature junkie, and I cringe at typing the phrase because it sounds so quaint in a world of 140-character expressions of self, then the film has its fascinating moments. The performances aren’t really among them. Read full review

The Seattle Times - Moira Macdonald

Jun 16, 2016

You wish Perkins would have shown up with his red pencil during the screenwriting stage, when he might have done some good. Read full review

New York Post - Lou Lumenick

Jun 9, 2016

Jude Law gives arguably the worst performance of his career as Wolfe in Genius, the ham-fisted directing debut of noted British theater figure Michael Grandage, bombastically adapted by John Logan (“Gladiator’’) from a biography by A. Scott Berg. Read full review

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User Reviews

Thomass

Sep 10, 2016

Excellent movie. Thomas Wolf portrayal truly well done and complex relationships with others very well done. I didn't! know much about Wolf and so I found the movie informative . For people who know and care about literature so not for everyone.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

jhep

Jun 18, 2016

What a wonderful film! What a wonderful FRIENDLY and authentic movie……FRIENDLY because it’s such an intimate work and a labor of love by everyone involved- the script writer, the director and the entire cast……and so the result is like getting a letter from a good friend you’d lost touch withWhat a wonderful film! What a wonderful FRIENDLY and authentic movie……FRIENDLY because it’s such an intimate work and a labor of love by everyone involved- the script writer, the director and the entire cast……and so the result is like getting a letter from a good friend you’d lost touch with years ago........what I mean is that people who relate to this film will quickly BOND with it; BOND with Jude Law (dazzling and almost unrecognizable) and Colin Firth (who cements his claim to being the Undisputed Champion of a certain quixotic Hard-Won Common Sense, and Nicole Kidman (brandishing new maturity, bite and conviction !) …...what “grabs” you most is the film’s ring of truth; it really feels like an INSIDER’S TAKE on the nature of the creative process, the artistic inspiration that drives it and (something the cast presumably knows all too well !) the perils confronting talented artists in a decidedly ga-ga celebrity culture !…..it makes sense that the two main stars of the film as well as the director should be Brits - what we get here is an Old World European culture commenting on a newfangled, New World "celebrity culture" bedazzled by philistine notions of power, money and creative merit (one in which money Trumps all ?). …. all of which is to say, once again, that this is a very personal work and one that feels thoroughly genuine and authentic.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

GreatMartin

Jun 17, 2016

First and foremost “Genius” is an excellent film with a performance by Jude Law, as writer Thomas Wolfe, that is a standout and better than many he has done in the past decade with a much quieter, but as strong a performance, by Colin Firth as Editor Maxwell Perkins.

It is not easy toFirst and foremost “Genius” is an excellent film with a performance by Jude Law, as writer Thomas Wolfe, that is a standout and better than many he has done in the past decade with a much quieter, but as strong a performance, by Colin Firth as Editor Maxwell Perkins.

It is not easy to have a movie featuring a writer but add an editor and you have a lot of scenes of writing, editing with a red pencil and voiceovers reading what the author has written. There are some scenes like these in the screenplay by John Logan, based on the biography of Perkins by A. Scott Berg, but they don’t distract from the temperamental differences between the two men and the results not only in their lives but what they brought to the world.

Near the beginning of the film Thomas Wolfe describes himself, at the same time describing the performance that Jude Law gives, as being flamboyant, loud, childish, full of self involvement and importance, a genius, and that is the man we see. On the other hand Maxwell Perkins is presented as a quiet, even tempered man who, it seems, never took his hat off! The main thing they had in common was love of the written word with Wolfe known to write many words when few would be better and Perkins knowing how to get to that few.

Though not knowing how much of the film was “Hollywood imagined”, though a few scenes felt as if they were invented, by the end you will wonder if Wolfe or Perkins or both of them were the genius of the title.

While Laura Linney, as the wife of Maxwell Perkins, has a quiet role as the supportive wife and mother Nicole Kidman as Aline Bernstein, Wolfe’s companion, partner, lover and provider, steals a few scenes from both Law and Firth.

There are basically cameos from Guy Pearce as F. Scott Fitzgerald, an almost unrecognizable Dominic West as Ernest Hemmingway and a brief performance by Vanessa Kirby as Zelda Fitzgerald.

I must admit that though I knew of Thomas Wolfe as a writer, mainly from the play version of his first novel, “Look Homeward, Angel”, never having read the book and vaguely remember hearing about his bestseller “Of Time and the River” I now want to read both and I want to know more about the man and how close this film is to his real life.

I did know of Maxwell Perkins through the world of publishing and the editor of two of my books, Layde Sparks, always referred to herself as my Maxwell Perkins and this film also makes me want to read the book it is based on.

“Genius” is an excellent film not only for bringing two men everyone should know to life but also to see the performances by Jude Law, Peter Firth and Nicole Kidman. I hope they aren’t forgotten, especially Law, when award time comes along.

I very seldom talk about films that can be the downloaded from the Internet at the same time they can be seen in theatres but I want people to see this—though it is better on the big movie screen!… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

Brent_Marchant

Jun 18, 2016

A biopic that struggles for greatness but, regrettably. comes up short of the mark, even with a number of fine attributes. The intentions here surely seem to be in the right place, but the execution falters with characters and a script that don't feel fully fleshed out, despite moments ofA biopic that struggles for greatness but, regrettably. comes up short of the mark, even with a number of fine attributes. The intentions here surely seem to be in the right place, but the execution falters with characters and a script that don't feel fully fleshed out, despite moments of brilliance in both regards. Still the film's examinations of the creative process, the act of collaboration and the need to express oneself are commendable and worth viewing, even if not couched within the most ideal vehicle for doing so.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Nov 26, 2016

Personally, the phrase "Oscar bait" strikes me as a terrible critique of a film. It is lazy and disrespectful of effort put into a film. Though a subject and approach thereof may appeal to the Academy, to label any biographical film as purely "Oscar bait" is entirely reductive, pigeonholingPersonally, the phrase "Oscar bait" strikes me as a terrible critique of a film. It is lazy and disrespectful of effort put into a film. Though a subject and approach thereof may appeal to the Academy, to label any biographical film as purely "Oscar bait" is entirely reductive, pigeonholing it into a position it certainly does not deserve. The result of blood, sweat, and tears on the part of theater director Michael Grandage, to label Genius as merely "Oscar bait" is disrespectful of the effort put in by Grandage and the cast. Plus, those who call it "failed Oscar bait" further miss the mark, as not every film will win an award, nor is every film aiming for that goal. Rather, films such as Genius may seem appealing to the Academy, but there is a deeper purpose here. Not just glittery gold and supposed glory. Genius is a celebration of the artist, the dedication, and the harm it can cause for that artist in their life. Along the way, we get some good performances, brilliant cinematography, and great period detail, even if Genius' slight frame highlights Grandage's theater background.

Focusing on the relationship between editor genius Max Perkins (Colin Firth) and upcoming writer Thomas Wolfe (Jude Law), Genius is a film about how the two come together to formulate Wolfe's work. Heralded as a visionary, Wolfe's work was rewarded with praise and, as a result, Perkins essentially saw him as his "once in a lifetime" author. Funnily enough, Perkins also was the editor for F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Seems as though he missed the mark there, but I digress. Following the success of his first novel, "Look Homeward, Angel", Wolfe delivers 5,000 pages for his follow-up novel. What ensues is the duo editing the novel fervourously, decimating their marriages, but forging an unbreakable bond between one another.

As Wolfe's wife, Aline Bernstein, Nicole Kidman often steals the show here, however. While Firth and Law turn in reliably good performances, Kidman is honestly shocking with her brilliance and commitment to her unhinged character. Always brash and filter-less, Aline takes a turn for the worse when she believes Thomas has fallen in love with Max and, in effect, left her. Two scenes highlight Kidman's brilliance in this picture. The first comes when she confronts Max and reveals to him that she plans on shooting on person and it is down to herself, Thomas, or Max. Here, she plays the role of the broken wife and knocks it out of the park. Raw, filled with emotion, and power, Kidman captures the alienation this woman feels expertly. Secondly, when she confronts Thomas after the success of his second novel. Though he wants her to go on vacation with him, her explanation of her own journey to get over him when it became apparent he no longer wanted her around is both heartbreaking and moving. Kidman, once more, captures the power of the moment exquisitely.

Genius also excels with its cinematography. Two shots demonstrate the beauty of the film and the reason here is often the staging. Grandage shows his knowledge of the stage and translates it to camera perfectly with a pair of shots that stand tall amongst the crowd. The first comes as Thomas rests his head on Max's shoulder as the pair look at New York City. Matching period detail with the always breathtaking skyline of New York City, the moment's power is matched by the beauty and pain-staking detail of its shot's design. Second, when Thomas is stumbling home after being at Max's house at night. Silhouetted by a bright light pouring through the trees in the pitch black of night, this shot in particular in gorgeous and seems akin to the work of Roger Deakins in The Assassination of Jesse James in look, style, and execution.

However, Genius is held back from brilliance. Though well acted, shot, and a terrific celebration of the artist and their dedication to brilliance, Genius is simply far too slight and far too slowly paced. It is a real grind and yet, it barely covers much, as it jumps along freely in order to make up for its slow pacing. It is dense, much like Wolfe's work, and is an incredibly tough nut to crack. There are times where it drags immensely and others where it does manage to ride the energy of Perkins and Wolfe's encounters. Unfortunately, by-and-large, Genius winds up being a poorly paced film that may accurately capture the essence of its subjects, but largely lacks the impact.

Genius is a film about riveting people with terrific acting and cinematography. However, the final product is merely just an entertaining biopic that feels far too limited in scope and slow to really be anything long-lasting. That said, the vibrancy brought by Wolfe is inspiring and one to be emulated by writers. He often treated those around him incredibly poorly, so do not emulate those elements, but his passion and love of writing must be celebrated and embraced.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Bias

Nov 4, 2016

Movie about the relationship between a writer and his editor. I definitely had to shake off the "this is just a bunch of white people stuff" feeling in order to get through it. I've never read Thomas Wolf or know anything about his life so I can't speak to the truth of any of I saw. It wasMovie about the relationship between a writer and his editor. I definitely had to shake off the "this is just a bunch of white people stuff" feeling in order to get through it. I've never read Thomas Wolf or know anything about his life so I can't speak to the truth of any of I saw. It was interesting to see the drama between a compulsive writer and his editor who hammers them into nuggets of-of-of best-selling moonshots drifting through the darkness like comets shimmering bright on a cold winter night. I got sick of the character by the end, and shamefully felt little empathy for his passing. Awkward, right? Or was that the point?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ricky1121

Jun 25, 2016

Horrid movie. It is way too confusing for me. I did not like it. Who would? It is so bad it is not even funny. MEGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THUMBS DOWN

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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