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Catherine Boyd: Meg Ryan Ed Walters: Tim Robbins Albert Einstein: Walter Matthau Kurt Godel: Lou Jacobi Boris Podolsky: Gene Saks Nathan Liebknecht: Joseph Maher James Moreland: Stephen Fry Louis Bamberger: Charles Durning Directed by Fred Schepisi. Written by Andy Breckman and Michael Leeson. Running time: 106 minutes. Rated PG (for mature themes). |
I.Q. can simply be described as a romantic comedy. The plot of this kind of genre is as old as time itself. Boy meets girl for the first time. Boy falls in love with girl, but girl is already committed to someone. Boy uses some ploy or trick to get the girl to love him. Girl begins to fall for boy. Girl becomes angry with boy, when she discovers that she has been deceived all along. Boy is distraught over loss, usually gets drunk at this time. And in the end, girl forgives boy and they get together again. We then cue a heart-shaped silhouette that contains the words THE END.
Romantic comedies are hard movies to produce nowadays since they require an excellent script and a believable cast. If a character, scene or moment feels false to the audience, they will quickly tune out and start thinking about what they are going to order for dinner. Although this rule applies to all movies, it especially rings true for romantic movies. The key to any romantic movie is that we simply want to fall in love with these characters. We want the two main characters to have chemistry together and fall in love at the end, despite how strange and distant it may sound for the characters. Luckily, I.Q. has no problem filling out most of this checklist.
BOY MEETS GIRL. Our two hopeless romantics are Meg Ryan and Tim Robbins, who play Catherine Boyd and Ed Walters. Catherine and her finance are taking an afternoon drive around the country when they suddenly experience car trouble, which we can only assume as fate. It forces them to visit the nearest garage, which just happens to be the one that Ed works in. Ed with but one gaze is quickly awestruck by Catherine and not deterred by the site of her companion.
Catherine is the kind of person whose life is dictated by logic instead of her heart. A perfect example would be her choice of men, especially her fiance. His name is James Moreland, played by the British actor Stephen Fry, a brilliant academic professor, but void of any personality. James idea of a honeymoon is a vacation with his new wife and pygmies in the Belgian Congo. Catherine on the other hand wants to make love under a waterfall in Hawaii that feels like a million kisses on her skin. It is quite obvious how compatible they really are.
An interesting plot point in I.Q. is the fact that Catherine's uncle is Albert Einstein (Walter Matthau). Albert seems to be in the latter stage of his life where his enjoyment comes from sailing or riding in convertibles. He seems more occupied in finding a better mate for his niece then explaining the wonders of science. Matthau looks and feels (I say this despite the fact that I have no idea how Einstein acts in person) like Albert, as he gives a very convincing performance. I guess the reason why I enjoyed his performance is the fact that Matthau really loses himself in the role. If I didn't see the credits I wouldn't be able to tell it was him.
Einstein is the leader of a group of old retired mathematician buddies, who supply most of the humor in the movie. They spend their days contemplating time and space, but they mostly spend it bothering Catherine and her fiance. The three mathematicians are played by veteran actors Lou Jacobi, Gene Saks and Joe Maher. They follow Einstein's lead, as they are well aware of the dilemma he is facing, as he wrestles with the challenge of his niece's future happiness. He is much perturbed until he has a sudden encounter with Ed. Einstein immediately likes Ed as his challenge has been conquered. Despite James's brilliance, he is pompous and more importantly a twit. Ed's honest, fun and humorous personality is what Catherine really needs and wants.
BOY TRICKS GIRL. The elderly brain trust decides to conspire a plan to make Robbins seem like a genius. Ed is hesitant, but agrees with the brain trust. After all how can Einstein be wrong. They supply him with a fictitious identity and a brilliant discovery of cold fusion to complete his genius. They accompany Ed to parties, to give credit to his reputation as they boast about his achievements to Catherine and her fiance. Of course, James is skeptical and challenges Ed to a sort of test to prove his genius. It takes place in a lecture hall, as the men supply him with the answers in this fabulous scene. Each man gives a series of secret signs, signals and twitches to prompt Ed with the correct answer, but you do wonder why no one is catching on to what they are doing.
GIRL FALLS IN LOVE WITH BOY, BUT DISCOVERS THE SECRET. Of course you knew this was going to happen. Catherine finds out that Ed has been lying and is horrified by both Ed and her uncle's deception. Unfortunately, this is where the movie starts to decline, as the events that unfold are little too extravagant. The ending of I.Q. is flat and effortless, as if the writers couldn't find a better way for the two to get back together.
I.Q. works because of the lead female, Meg Ryan. Her resume speaks for herself as she has the ability to sweep us off our feet and fall in love with her. She plays her characters with a strong and stubborn personality. Tim Robbins tries to do his best impression of a simple Jimmy Stewart everyday type man, but falls short.
I.Q. is a sweet and fun romantic comedy that never forgets it. The scenes never get too serious, as it keeps the light-hearted atmosphere throughout the movie. I.Q. won't change your life, but it does entertain you, which is all we can ask from this movie. Grade: B
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