Genius

Lionsgate | Release Date: June 10, 2016

6.7	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 47 Ratings

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TVJerryJun 18, 2016

Jude Law straps on a vigorous Southern accent to play author Thomas Wolfe and another Brit (Colin Firth) goes Yankee as his book editor Maxwell Perkins. This story looks at the working relationship that becomes a friendship. Law gives aJude Law straps on a vigorous Southern accent to play author Thomas Wolfe and another Brit (Colin Firth) goes Yankee as his book editor Maxwell Perkins. This story looks at the working relationship that becomes a friendship. Law gives a fervent, outgoing performance and Firth plays it laid back. Even with their sometimes volatile relationship, this film never rises above a quiet energy. All of the actors are good, but the drama never inspires and the dialogue isn't especially smart. It might be interesting for literary types, but as drama it's a bit of a snooze. Interestingly, 6 of the main characters (all of whom are supposed to Americans) are either played by Brits or Aussies.… Expand

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SpangleNov 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 purelyPersonally, 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

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Brent_MarchantJun 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 thatA 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

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BiasNov 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 IMovie 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

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