Flash of Genius: A Detroit Tale

Lauren Graham and Greg Kinnear at the Flash of Genius Press Conference at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival
Photo by Malcolm Taylor / Getty Images

Flash of Genius is a David-versus-Goliath tale that opens in theaters around town on October 3rd. The movie is set in 1960s Detroit and stars Greg Kinnear as Robert Kearns, a Wayne State University professor who invented the intermittent windshield wiper in his basement. The story chronicles Kearns battle against the evil, greedy, big-three auto companies that failed to give his patent recognition.

The film was actually filmed in Toronto, a more-affordable location before the passage of Michigan's tax incentives. Even so, the film may still produce a sigh of nostalgia from Detroiters. The film depicts a 1960s Motor City still in its hey day. Despite the depiction of the big three as the Goliath of the story, it invokes memories of a strong industry that could be cast as the big, bad and powerful villain. Ah, better times…

According to RottenTomatoes.com, the movie is getting good reviews.

More Information:

• Movie review by Emanuel Levy