Few genres are as precious as the genius. Since the 1970’s, stories of geniuses have often made for engaging movies. Whether it’s gifted mathematicians, intelligent janitors or bomb inventors, the genre has created many strong characters. Given the humungous number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about geniuses that deserve to be celebrated.
1. A Beautiful Mind
Schizophrenia is a dark disorder that fascinated my teacher. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a teacher that was fascinated with Schizophrenia. In high school, I formed strong bonds with a psychology professor interested in a disorder that was cruel. He often sought to educate students about illness causing minds of people to deteriorate. Fascinated with a grim disorder affecting the mind, my teacher was determined to leave a lasting legacy behind. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how a mental disorder can impact the mind as powerfully as “A Beautiful Mind”. Ever since its release in 2001, Ron Howard’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about geniuses. With the greatest film of his career, Howard used innovative cinematic techniques to capture the turmoil of a real-life mathematician that faced despair. Howard has always had an aptitude for making great movies about the lives of geniuses with an intelligent nature, and “A Beautiful Mind” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which John Nash experiences a nervous breakdown when he realizes that his roommate Charles Herman is a figment of his imagination causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Russell Crowe, who embodies a mathematician that faced sorrow years ago. Ultimately, what makes “A Beautiful Mind” my favourite film about geniuses of all-time is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with John Nash’s commemorated theories to appreciate it. The film delivers a profound message about mental illness which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a classic film about a brilliant mathematician with a beautiful mind, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a one-of-a-kind genre that has manufactured commemorated movies about larger-than-life geniuses leaving a lasting legacy behind.
2. Good Will Hunting
Therapists are inspiring figures that shaped my identity. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a therapist that delivered an inspiring message. When I was diagnosed with anxiety, I began seeing a psychologist offering therapy. An inspiring role model, he made me believe it was possible to achieve goals I was hunting. As someone treasuring fond memories of a therapist I found inspiring, I appreciated “Good Will Hunting”. Released in 1997, Gus Van Sant’s Oscar-winning movie depicted therapists guiding lives of adolescents in the right direction. Gus Van Sant effectively uses naturalistic dialogue to capture the strong bond with a therapist and genius janitor. or instance, the scene where Will breaks down crying discussing his trauma with his therapist is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Robin Williams, who embodied a therapist seeking to assist a genius with dedication. Ultimately, what makes “Good Will Hunting” a commemorated masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the commendable roles therapists play in ives of people which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Will Hunting’s desire to find meaning, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured memorable movies which are worth celebrating.
3. Rain Man
Intellectual disability shaped my identity. At an early age, my life changed when I was diagnosed with Autism causing emotional damage. I remember feeling a sense of terror when I was diagnosed with a disability that put my life in danger. Autism became a barrier that affected my abilities to succeed in the education system. As someone that has seen how Autism can destroy relationships between families, I adored “Rain Man”. Released in 1988, Barry Levinson’s movie captured the life of a genius with intellectual disabilities. Levinson effectively uses montages to capture tension faced by individuals with severe intellectual disability. For instance, the scene in which Raymond experiences a breakdown when the noise of the alarm starts ringing causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Dustin Hoffman, who portrayed a genius with Autism. Ultimately, what makes “Rain Man” a commemorated masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about disabilities which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies about Autism, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. An awe-inspiring portrait of Autism, it’s an astonishing reminder of a commemorated genre manufacturing great movies about geniuses with wisdom.
4. The Social Network
Friendships are fragile relationships that are rarely meant to last forever. I remember a friend in school that I grew up to treasure. He was an intelligent genius that always regarded social network companies to be precious. However, his pursuit of career brought our relationship to a closure. Years later, I’ve lost touch with a friend that changed my life forever. As someone treasuring a companion on a social network, I adored “The Social Network”. Released in 2010, David Fincher’s movie captured geniuses creating the formation of Facebook. Fincher effectively uses non-linear storytelling capturing geniuses that formed a famous social networking company. For instance, the scene in which Eduardo throws a temper tantrum breaking Mark’s laptop after his shares in social media are lowered causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a great role by Jesse Eisenberg, who embodied the genius founder of Facebook. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about friendships which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be Facebook users to appreciate it. A strong tribute to a company that changed social media, it’s a bold reminder of a great genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies which are worth seeing in the Cinema.
5. The Silence of the Lambs
Serial killers are frightening figures that always scared me. At an early age, I developed fear of serial killers when my housemaid was murdered causing damage. Stabbed to death in the shower, she became victim of psychotic murder. Left emotionally devastated, my family never recovered from the death of a housemaid that wasn’t investigated. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured genius serial killers stunning people into silence as powerfully as “The Silence of the Lambs”. Released in 1991, Jonathan Demme’s movie captured the twisted psyche of a genius serial killer. With the greatest film of his career, Demme used innovative cinematic techniques to capture intelligent serial killers evoking fear. For instance, the scene in which Starling experiences intense interrogations with Hannibal Lecter causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Anthony Hopkins, who portrayed one of the most intelligent serial killers in cinematic history. Ultimately, what makes “The Silence of the Lambs” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. As memorable as murders that Hannibal Lecter has committed, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made movies which audiences have always appreciated.
6. The Theory of Everything
Few physicists have built a legacy as inspiring as Stephen Hawking. An inspiring historical figure, Hawking overcame disabilities to create groundbreaking theories. In 2014, John Marsh honoured the inspiring physicist in his movie “The Theory of Everything”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Theory of Everything” stand out is its depiction of disability. Marsh uses captivating montages capturing a renowned physicist that overcame frightening disabilities to create theories that are groundbreaking. Assisted by Eddie Redmayne who is extraordinary in the lead role, Marsh honoured Stephen Hawking’s legacy. An inspirational tribute towards a physicist that’s powerful, it’s a remarkable reminder of a genre that has manufactured commemorated movies which audiences consider to be special.
7. Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs is an iconic entrepreneur that has always inspired me. An awe-inspiring genius, Jobs created technological gadgets that are precious. Following his death in 2011, Jobs’ ideas inspire individuals to this day. As someone treasuring an entrepreneur that did his jobs effectively, I adored “Steve Jobs”. Released in 2015, Danny Boyle’s biopic celebrated the commemorated Apple founder’s legacy. Unlike most movies about geniuses, what makes “Steve Jobs” stand out is its honesty. Boyle demonstrated both the positive and negative sides towards a historical figure through sharp dialogue. Assisted by an extraordinary performance from Michael Fassbender, Boyle celebrated an inventor. As precious as the iPhone, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has made well-known movies in a league of their own.
8. The Imitation Game
Alan Turing is a genius mathematician that built a legacy that’s lasting. During WWII, Turing was a mathematician that designed a machine winning the war. An awe-inspiring mathematician, Turing created a machine that prevented destruction. In 2014, Morten Tyldum celebrated the mathematician achieving fame in his movie “The Imitation Game”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Imitation Game” stand out is its depiction of engineers. Tyldum used stunning flashbacks to honour a mathematician that made a historical contribution. Assisted by Benedict Cumberbatch who is superb in the lead role, Tuldum honoured Turing’s legacy. 90 years after Alan Turing designed a groundbreaking machine, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made movies which deserve to be seen on the big-screen.
9. Hidden Figures
When it comes to the most genius women in NASA’s space history, it’s worth discussing the hidden figures. During the 1960’s, African-American women participated in NASA’s space program. The women broke barriers of colour to become legendary figures. In 2016, Theodore Melfi honoured the hidden figures in his movie “Hidden Figures”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Hidden Figures” stand out is its depiction of racism. Melfi uses captivating montages to capture obstacles black women working for NASA in the 1960’s were facing. Accompanied by Taraji P. Henson who is excellent in the lead role, Melfi honoured hidden figures in history. A heartfelt tribute towards Africa-American women that participated in NASA’s space race, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making movies that audiences embrace.
10. The Big Short
The financial crisis is a tricky subject to depict in movies. Since the 2008 economic downfall, it’s been hard to depict a crisis that’s hard to recall. In 2015, Adam McKay did an admirable job of depicting the big crisis in his movie “The Big Short”. McKay used captivating montages to capture geniuses that forecasted a crisis that’s frightening. Assisted by Christian Bale who is amazing in the lead role, McKay recreated the crisis with detail. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s depiction of geniuses isn’t true to reality. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. Nearly 20 years after the economy faced tragedy, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made great movies about geniuses with intelligent personality which I will forever treasure for motivating me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 