Movie Review: Genius

The film Genius was not genius for me. It contained a wonderful cast and had enormous potential, but fell flat completely. I’m getting drowsy just thinking back on it. However, keep in mind that reviewing film is subjective. I did not enjoy Genius, which by no means infers that someone else might not enjoy it. So, in fairness, let me expound on what you can expect and you can make your own decision.

This story is concerned with the relationship between novelist Thomas Wolfe (Jude Law) and editor Max Perkins (Colin Firth), noteworthy for his publishing the works of Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The film begins with Wolfe waiting to see if his manuscript will be accepted for publication by Scribner’s Sons Publishing. Thomas, an eccentric over-expressive writer, fully believes he will be rejected as he has been time and time again. To his surprise, Perkins recognizes his undeniable excellence in word expression, hence the name Genius.

Jude Law is mentionable for his portrayal of the obsessed, fanatical wordsmith with a penchant for magnetically drawing people into his world of brilliance, having them fall head over heels for his charismatic personality. Wolfe has a way of becoming the entity that is missing in your life. We see this with Nicole Kidman’s character Aline Bernstein, she left a husband and family to become Wolfe’s lover. You get to see her instability and insecurity in her dysfunctional relationship with Thomas. But she is ensnared. She is over-the-top obsessed and at times it is very disturbing.

The relationship betwixt Max and Thomas is really the crux of this story. It is interesting to watch. Both men are equally obsessed with the work and artistry of producing the most authentic literary work. There is very little room for anyone or anything else in the compilation of the would-be-masterpiece. There is a scene in which the gentlemen take a night off and Thomas takes Max to a favorite jazz club. Thomas gets Max to experience what it feels like to create magnificence through perfect harmonious jazz.

To enjoy Genius, I suppose you would have to have an interest in the written word. The journey a writer goes through to create something moving and exceptional. However, this film is ultimately about a unique individual and his effect on those around him. Honorable mention goes to Max Pains wife Louis Perkins, played by Laura Linney. She has always been a favorite of mine and plays her role well as a confident woman, a rare thing in the 1920s.

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Betsy Cizek

Betsy resides in Michigan. She is presently writing a novel and pursuing a Freelance writing career. It’s important to her that her writing combines sensitivity, honesty and a hint of sarcasm to create a relatable experience with the reader. Having a passion for film and an all around American pie opinion, she aspires to have the sensibility for what the average Joe might enjoy.

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