Genius

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2:31

Genius

PG-13

Released Jun 10, 2016

1h 44m

Biography

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

51%

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111 Reviews

47%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Renowned editor Maxwell Perkins (Colin Firth) develops a friendship with author Thomas Wolfe (Jude Law) while working on the writer's manuscripts.

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Critics Consensus

Genius seeks to honor worthy subjects, yet never gets close enough to the titular quality to make watching worth the effort.

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Anna Leszkiewicz

New Statesman

Genius ends up being terrifically boring, while enthusiastically reproducing the creative hierarchies of the time it portrays.

Aug 25, 2016

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Roxana Hadadi

Chesapeake Family Magazine

The biographical Genius is uneven, and that imbalanced focus-the same thing that novelist Thomas Wolfe needed help with all those years ago-is its weakest element.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 1, 2016

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Leonard Maltin

leonardmaltin.com

Documenting the inner life of creative artists and their world is challenging at best... 'Genius' manages to capture the grandiose dreams of both infamous writer, Wolfe, and his long-fabled editor...

Jul 11, 2016

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Ian Brill

Battleship Pretension

As Perkins and Wolfe discuss the importance of every choice and omission an artist makes in crafting work, it is sad that Genius doesn't know show much evidence of that same consideration.

Apr 13, 2021

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

A great wall separates the producers, writers and directors at present from the kind of mental effort it takes to represent the world in a serious artistic manner. For the most part, unhappily, they have only clichés and guesswork at their disposal.

Feb 11, 2021

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Sarah Knight Adamson

Sarah's Backstage Pass

Michael Grandage could've used his female stars more powerfully-and the whole film smells of Oscar Bait-but the opposites-attract friendship between Perkins and Wolfe is the stuff of literary lore and is more than enough...

Rated: 3/4

Jan 23, 2020

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Meri S.

I’m not sure why this film get such low ratings. It does drag in a few parts, but an interesting story that seems pretty true to life about Thomas Wolfe and his editor. Very well acted with a number of A list actors and actresses.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

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One I

A powerful film diving into the compelling drive and agony of writing, the fear of failure, fear of success. And the impacts on loved ones losing a writer to mania.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

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Susan R

I thought this was a brilliant movie. I’m surprised that the reviews aren’t better.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

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Andrew B

I've read both of Thomas Wolfe's books. 'Look Homeward Angel' I would describe as a great American classic to rival Steinbeck. I found 'Of Time and the River' to be a bit of a slog. What i loved about this film was Jude Law's brilliant depiction of the man as a man, a flawed genius, which put me in mind of a prototype Kerouac. It was an Hour and 3 quarters well spent.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/20/24

Full Review

Michael E

I loved it. Tragic tale of a bloke who wrote and drank too much but didn't have enough love for real life. Distracted by writing, success and contempt for those who helped him. The three leads are well played. There is a pleasing pace and tone and a good ending.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/12/24

Full Review

Melissah M

This is a brilliant plot, suited to anyone sick of the usual no-thought rubbish usually coming up. Very good Actors, delving into the intense world of what it takes to succeed as a novelist. Interesting for anyone who likes clever language and who has read the classics, as the Editor (Colin Firth) battles with his famous authors. Based on a true story

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/15/24

Full Review

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Michael Grandage

Director

Colin Firth

Max Perkins

Jude Law

Thomas Wolfe

Nicole Kidman

Aline Bernstein

Laura Linney

Louise Saunders

Guy Pearce

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Genius: Trailer 1

2:31

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Synopsis

Renowned editor Maxwell Perkins (Colin Firth) develops a friendship with author Thomas Wolfe (Jude Law) while working on the writer's manuscripts.

Director: Michael Grandage
Producer: Michael Grandage, John Logan, James Bierman
Screenwriter: John Logan
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Desert Wolf Productions, Michael Grandage Company
Rating: PG-13 (Suggestive Content|Some Thematic Elements)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.4M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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