Dan's Papers - October 10, 2008

Although the 16th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival doesn't really get started until October 15, Dan's was on hand to take in a sneak preview of what is to come, with a screening of the highly anticipated Flash of Genius, starring past Oscar-nom Greg Kinnear. But unlike the festivities that will leave the East End awash in eager cinema lovers and celebs looking to push their latest piece, this first round of the HIFF took place in Manhattan at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) on October.

At a special, guest-list only affair, journalists and film industry people arrived at the 54th St. MoMA entrance greeted by none-other than Mr. Kinnear himself! He wasn't taking too many questions - although he did stop for a FOX camera crew at the red-carpeted section roped off for the actors, director and producer - but he was very cordial, shaking hands, patting shoulders and wielding his disarming grin with aplomb. Director Marc Abraham and HIFF boss David Nugent were also in the house to say hello, with a capacity crowd in place, sipping wine and buzzing about the film.

Many wondered why the screening was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. - very early for an NYC affair - but Mr. Nugent soon explained the event was set for dinner-time "so we don't miss the debate tonight," as Sarah Palin and Joe Biden were set to go at 9 p.m. And as planned, the deadline was easily met, as Flash of Genius is a breezy movie that made for a quick, solid opening to this year's edition of the Hamptons film affair.

The festival awards many prizes to films deemed relevant to its creative and independent spirit, and Flash is the current recipient of the program's Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film Prize in Science and Technology - in place for movies that examine science and technology themes and portray scientists and engineers with integrity and conviction. No question the $25,000 prize was earned here, as this movie takes a passionate look at a potentially over-passionate inventor.

Based on the true story presented in an article written by scribe for the New Yorker, this is the tale of Dr. Robert Kearns, an engineer and professor who taught and lived in the suburbs of Detroit. Although the film doesn't exactly give the time it's set in, the rotary phones and radio clips of a successful Baltimore Orioles baseball squad indicates the '70s. With his doting and devoted wife (played by professional beleaguered-wife/beauty Lauren Graham) and six kids, he seems content living in this town during an era still dominated by people working in the automotive field. And while others around him are making a good living selling their souls to the industry - like his old pal Gil Privick (Dermot Mulroney) - playing golf and having swell dinner parties in their big houses, Dr. Kearns just wants to hang around with his family and explore his dream. A dream many might question, but Robert has a vision that owns his thoughts: intermittent windshield wipers.

Hardly a sexy dream, no one seems interested in hearing about such a creation - until he actually invents the thing. Calling it a "blinking-eye" wiper system, soon the doctor and his buddy Gil are working out ways to cash in. The problem is, while Kearns is a genius, a financial wizard he is not. Before long, he's voluntarily given up the rights to his patents to a company interested in marketing the wipers, who then makes a deal with the automotive colossus Ford company, all the while telling the professor he could stay in charge of the manufacturing. But before too long, the obvious takes place: Ford tells Dr. Kearns his help is no longer needed, they're no longer interested in his invention and - oh yeah - now every Ford car that passes down the street has window wipers that can pause to match the intensity of the rain. Kearns invention has been wrenched away and his involvement is completely denied,

Upon discovery of this, Kearns loses it. His immediate reaction is to take on Ford in court - a seemingly impossible plan, considering the company's endless resources and unfathomable power. Nonetheless, he pursues personal justice, and the ensuing struggle consumes his mind, his career, his family and his world.

For his efforts, Kinnear deserves an A+, as he seems to have buried his smarmier side, which is so often present, fully dressing himself in the guise of an aloof super-brain who was probably never all that stable to begin with. Before the meat of the movie unfolds, he's a mild-mannered, grinning fellow, with a one-track mind that suggests book-smart, not street-smart. Kinnear delivers this subdued gentleman well, and also efficiently switches gears when it's time to become the crazed, burned-out recluse who never thinks twice in sacrificing his entire being to make Ford admit their alleged crime. In addition, the whole cast is great, especially Graham, who loves her husband completely, but desperately fears watching her husband implode.

There are flaws in this film, but they are minor. The most glaring is the soundtrack, as often scenes begin and end with gospel-tinged, light-hearted electric organ ditties. The whimsical tempo seems to imply comedy, and although there are some light-hearted moments (and one flat-out hysterical court-room scene that will certainly be a clip used for Oscar consideration), this is a sad and heartbreaking story, so perhaps a gloomy musical selection would have been more appropriate. It's also a speedy number, and while its quick edits keep this movie under 115 minutes, one might wish to have seen the character-entrenched Kinnear receive more time to ply his dramatic wares.

Otherwise, it's an emotional tale that allows you to see one man's war for respect. In this day and age, even the people who end up most sympathetic to his plight might wonder why integrity was so important to him. Is he crazy? Is moral come-uppance more valuable than family and financial gain? Perhaps the point of this movie is praising the martyr-like efforts of Dr. Kearns. Because while we know that a man fighting for what's right is ethically heroic, when you hear about the money Kearns both refused and risked losing to win his case, you seriously wonder if you could do the same. And as he gambled with his sanity, your humble critic admits feeling a bit guilty when occasionally rooting for him to save himself and sell out.