Director: Marc Abraham
Production Company: Universal Pictures
Cast: Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, Dermot Mulroney, Alan Alda, Bill Smitrovich, Tim Kelleher, Jake Abel
Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language
By Gregg Tubbs
UMC.org--What would you do for a principle? Would you risk your job, your marriage, your health—even your sanity? You may say, “It depends on the principle.” Now ask yourself this: would you risk so much over a windshield wiper? That’s the premise of the inspiring, emotionally charged Flash of Genius, a film about a man who took on Ford Motor Company, one of the biggest corporations in the world, over credit for inventing the intermittent windshield wiper. This is a classic story of underdog populism—the small-time inventor defending ownership of his invention against a corporate giant. But the story also asks deeper, tougher questions about the boundary between gritty determination and obsession and about whether others should also pay the price for one’s battle of principle.
We all take for granted the intermittent windshield wipers that come standard in virtually all cars. However, there was a time when perfecting this apparently simple device vexed even the best engineers in Detroit. Based on a true story, Director Marc Abraham’s Flash of Genius tells the story of college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear) who solved the problem and, as stated by a Ford executive in the film, “won the windshield wiper competition.” Such an advance would make Ford’s new auto line the envy of the industry, and according to an initial agreement, would have also gained Kearns a fortune.
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Flash of Genius tells the story of college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear) who invented the intermittent windshield wiper.
Copyright © 2008 Universal Pictures.
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However, when Ford unexpectedly reneges on the deal and develops its own suspiciously similar wiper, Kearns begins a long legal battle not only with Ford, but also with nearly the entire U.S. auto industry. Anchored by Kinnear’s performance as an endearing and believable everyman, Flash of Genius tells a powerful David and Goliath story. Although the film centers on one man’s fight to receive recognition for his ingenuity, it also stands as a tribute to anyone who has ever had a great idea stolen. In the film, a group of similarly wronged small-time inventors take up Kearns’ cause as theirs, becoming a fan club of sorts. Kearns fights not only for financial compensation, but also for justice and his pride.
Threatened, ridiculed, bribed and buried in legal maneuvers, this determined inventor refuses to back down. However, his battle exacts a heavy price. This is where the feel-good David and Goliath story becomes more complex and troubling. Over many grueling years, Kearns’ uphill battle takes its toll—on his job, his health and ultimately his marriage and family. Lauren Graham played a similar long-suffering, but supportive wife in last year’s Evan Almighty, but here obsession, not a mission from God, is at the heart of her family’s problems.
Kearns’ fight for justice against corporate power and greed is clearly an admirable one, and we root for him to win. Yet, this film is not simply another tale of the underdog prevailing against enormous odds. The film also examines the devastating consequences Kearns’ single-minded battle has on his personal life. When does stubborn determination become obsession? At what point does a principle become a straight jacket, rigidly eliminating compromise or new thought? Has Kearns’ quest for justice been driven by mere ego or revenge? These are the questions the film asks us to consider.
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Over many grueling years, Kearns’ uphill battle takes its toll—on his job, his health and ultimately his marriage and family. Copyright © 2008 Universal Pictures.
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When he is offered a sizable sum to settle his case, Kearns refuses. When he is later offered a small fortune, Kearns agrees to accept, but only on the condition that Ford publicly admits to stealing his design. You can only guess Ford’s answer. The strain on his emotions eventually becomes so great that he slips into delusion. As the film opens, we see Kearns in his pajamas aboard a bus to D.C., convinced he has been summoned by the Vice President.
One could argue that anyone has the right to follow such a self-destructive path. Throughout history, many—including scores of Christian martyrs—have suffered and even died for their convictions. But we must question the affect Kearns’ fight has on his family, who must also bear the consequences of his obsessive quest for justice. Where is the line between his rights and theirs? Should they be forced to suffer for his principles? Does anyone have the right to subject others to punishment because of his or her beliefs? The film does not shy away from such tough questions, and to its credit, shows that any victories Kearns may achieve will be bittersweet and tinged with loss.
Flash of Genius is a satisfyingly complex drama about a believable family caught up in extraordinary circumstances. It’s about courage, determination, and the need, every once in a while, for a gritty little David to stand up to the big, greedy Goliath—if only to give the rest of us Davids a little hope.
Study Questions
- How significant is it that Kearns teaches a class in engineering ethics? What does this tell us about his character?
- In his class, he uses an example that engineering genius could create both an artificial heart valve as well as the gas chambers at Auschwitz. What point was he trying to make?
- Kearns is also active in his church. Could this be a factor in his refusal to accept injustice? How does his faith inform his sense of right and wrong?
- Kearns seems to yearn for success, but his wife believes his life is already successful. Do you agree with her? Can you identify with his desire for more?
- How do you define success in life? What does the Bible say about the way to success? (See Joshua 1:8.)
- What does the Bible have to say about those who try to cheat their way to success? (See Job 5:12.) Can cheating ever lead to true success?
- Do you believe Kearns had the best interests of his family in mind when he turned down the various financial settlements? Would you have taken the money?
- Can you sympathize with his wife? Do you agree or disagree with her decision about whether to stand by him?
- Was Kearns’ victory worth it? What did he win? What did he sacrifice?
- Is there a principle or belief you would fight for? Would you go as far as Kearns did?
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