
MPAA rating: PG-13
Runtime: 1:59
One of those things we all take for granted and really don't think of as having been "invented" is the intermittent wiper setting. "Flash of Genius" tells us the story of Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear), the man who invented the technology and his battles with Ford Motor Company, which, in many ways, ruined his life. Kinnear is actually a fine actor and gives a great performance in this story. As the movie opens, Kearns is driving in the rain with his family and realizes that his wipers running constantly ruin the blades, but can't be completely shut off. This is his inspiration for what he calls the "blinking eyes" wiper motor. He begins to work on the idea at home and enlists a friend (Dermot Mulroney) to help him file the patents and get him meetings with major car manufacturers when he gets the invention working. After a meeting with Ford Motor Company, they verbally agree to buy his design and his only condition is that HE manufacture it. Ford is reluctant to yield any of the manufacturing to an outside vendor, but agrees. As he begins to set up his manufacturing plant, Ford stops returning his calls and then he sees ads for Ford's new car line with some models having an "intermittent wiper" system. He is left in the cold and decides to sue Ford for stealing his idea. The first third of the film sets up that part of the story, the second third takes you through his personal struggles as he strives to make his case. Being sort of a story about a legal matter, it is the final third that is the most riveting as he finally gets his day in court against Ford Motor Company. As you can probably tell by the subject matter, this is not the most exciting film, but it is a very interesting human drama. The courtroom scenes are the most intriguing part of the movie as Kearns is forced to represent himself and manages to hold his own against the heavy legal team from Ford. It is a classic "David vs. Goliath" scenario and it is pretty amazing to see all of the intrigue and anguish behind an invention that we use every day and spend little to no time thinking about.
Grade: B-
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