The Next Reel Film Podcast Real Genius

Why did it take director Martha Coolidge so long to sign on to direct the 1985 film ‘Real Genius’? Turns out she wanted the science and student life to be as accurate as possible, and in the end she convinced the producer it was the right way to go. We think so too! The performances by Val Kilmer, Gabriel Jarret, Michelle Meyrink, William Atherton, Robert Prescott, Jon Gries, Mark Kamiyama, and everyone else feel authentic. The eighties vibe doesn’t feel overly pushed into the forefront. The school life feels like a real college life. And the fact that the government is secretly exploiting smart students to build a weapon sadly seems completely believable. Oh – and do you wanna know how much popcorn they used for the big finale? We talk about all of this and more on this week’s show. Tune in!