Watch Flash of Genius

Flash of Genius is a drama film from 2008, directed by Marc Abraham and starring Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, and Alan Alda. The movie is based on the true story of Robert Kearns, an American inventor who claims he invented the intermittent windshield wiper. The story begins in Detroit, Michigan in the 1960s, where Bob Kearns (Greg Kinnear) is a professor of engineering at Wayne State University. He is also an inventor, who loves tinkering with electronics and devices. One night, he and his wife Phyllis (Lauren Graham) are driving in the rain, and the constant back and forth of the windshield wipers is driving him crazy. He comes up with an idea for an intermittent wiper, which will only wipe when needed, based on the amount of rain on the windshield. Kearns sets out to develop his invention, and after many trials and errors, he succeeds. He then presents his invention to the Ford Motor Company, hoping to get them interested. Ford initially expresses interest and asks Kearns to sign a contract, but they eventually back out and tell him they are not interested. Kearns is devastated but decides to move forward with his invention, and starts selling intermittent wiper systems to other car manufacturers. However, things take a turn when Kearns sees a Ford car with his invention installed on it. Realizing that Ford stole his invention, he sues the company for intellectual property theft. At first, Kearns is optimistic about his case, but the legal proceedings drag on for years, and he slowly starts to lose everything he has - his job, his family, his sanity. Throughout the movie, we see Kearns as a man who is passionate about his invention but is also deeply flawed. He is both brilliant and stubborn, and as the trial continues, we see the toll it takes on him and his family. We also see the importance of the legal precedent that Kearns' case sets, not just for him but for all inventors and their rights to their intellectual property. The supporting cast in Flash of Genius is also excellent. Lauren Graham shines as Phyllis Kearns, a woman who supports her husband's dreams but also struggles with the toll his obsession takes on their family. Alan Alda is great as Gregory Lawson, Kearns' lawyer and friend who believes in his case but also recognizes the difficulties they face. Overall, Flash of Genius is a well-made and engaging drama that tells an important and often-overlooked story about intellectual property rights. It is a moving tribute to a man who fought for his invention and paved the way for other inventors to protect their ideas. The performances are strong, the cinematography is impressive, and the story is both compelling and thought-provoking.