Movies About Geniuses

From Milos Forman, starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Roy Dotrice
Rated R

Amadeus is a biographical drama film directed by Miloš Forman. It is based on the life and work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as told through the eyes of his rival and colleague, Antonio Salieri. The movie follows Salieri’s journey of jealousy and admiration towards Mozart, as he struggles to come to terms with the fact that his own talent is not as great as Mozart’s. After Salieri is appointed the court composer of Austria, he discovers Mozart’s genius and starts plotting to make sure Mozart never succeeds. Despite his efforts, Mozart’s works become increasingly popular and ultimately Salieri realizes that he is incapable of competing with such genius. The movie follows Salieri’s story as he comes to terms with his own mediocrity and reflects on his life and those of the people around him.

From Gus Van Sant, starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

Good Will Hunting is a 1997 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The film follows 20-year-old South Boston janitor Will Hunting, an unrecognized genius who, as part of a deferred prosecution agreement after assaulting a police officer, becomes a client of a therapist and studies advanced mathematics with a renowned professor. Through his therapy sessions, Will re-evaluates his relationships with his best friend, his girlfriend, and himself, facing the significant task of confronting his past and thinking about his future. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Damon), Best Supporting Actor (Robin Williams), Best Supporting Actress (Minnie Driver), Best Director (Van Sant), Best Original Screenplay (Damon and Affleck), Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $225 million worldwide against its modest $10 million budget.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG-13

A Beautiful Mind is a biographical drama directed by Ron Howard and based on the life of the Nobel Laureate in Economics, John Nash. The film follows the story of Nash, a brilliant mathematician whose struggle with paranoid schizophrenia changes the course of his life and that of those around him. Although he is able to make a revolutionary contribution to mathematics, Nash's mental illness takes a toll on his personal life, leading him to contemplate suicide. With the help of his wife, Alicia, and his doctor, Nash is able to manage his illness and reclaim his life. In the end, he is recognized for his achievements and receives the Nobel Prize in Economics.

From Giuseppe Tornatore, starring Tim Roth, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Mélanie Thierry, Bill Nunn
Rated R

The Legend of 1900 is a 1998 Italian drama film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. The story follows the life of an orphaned baby, who is found aboard an abandoned ocean liner in the year 1900. Found by a group of stokers, the baby is named "1900" after the year of his discovery. As he grows up, he demonstrates a prodigious natural gift for playing the piano, and comes to be known as "the legendary pianist of the ocean liner". When the ship is retired and set for dismantling, 1900 decides to remain aboard and become a hermit, refusing to leave his beloved ship. He eventually falls in love with a young immigrant, and his life is changed forever. The film ends with a dramatic finale that explores the mystery of 1900’s origins. Throughout the film, Tornatore uses music as a major storytelling device, and the classical music of 1900 is used to illustrate his emotional journey. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, and won several awards.

From Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino, Gerald R. Molen
Rated R

Rain Man is a 1988 American drama film directed by Barry Levinson and written by Ronald Bass. The film stars Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman and tells the story of an abrasive, selfish young wheeler-dealer Charlie Babbitt (Cruise), who discovers that his estranged father has died and bequeathed all of his multimillion-dollar estate to his other son, Raymond (Hoffman), an autistic savant whom Charlie never knew existed. The two brothers embark on a cross-country odyssey that transforms their lives and teaches them about love, trust, and the true meaning of family. Along the way, Charlie learns to accept his responsibility for the care of his mentally-challenged brother, while Raymond learns to open up and trust the world around him. Ultimately, Raymond's special genius helps Charlie to realize his own potential.

From Morten Tyldum, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Allen Leech
Rated PG-13

The Imitation Game is a 2014 biographical drama film directed by Morten Tyldum and starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, a British mathematician and cryptanalyst who was a key figure in cracking Nazi Germany's Enigma code. During World War II, Turing and a team of codebreakers at Bletchley Park, the British intelligence center, worked to decrypt German communications, ultimately helping the Allies win the war. The film follows Turing as he battles with his own personal demons while struggling to overcome institutional and social prejudice against his homosexuality in order to succeed in his mission. It also shows his later persecution and prosecution by the British government after the war for his homosexuality. The film ultimately honors Turing's genius, courage, and sacrifice for a nation that was ultimately unwilling to accept him for who he was.

From Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Chris Owen
Rated PG

October Sky is a 1999 American drama film directed by Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, Laura Dern and Natalie Canerday. The film is based on the true story of Homer Hickam, Jr., a coal miner's son from West Virginia who followed his dream of becoming a rocket engineer, against all odds. The story follows Homer who, inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1, sets out to build rockets in hopes of becoming a successful engineer. Along his journey, he receives support from his family, friends, and teachers, but also faces many challenges. With the help of some passionate fellow rocket-enthusiasts, Homer embarks on an incredible journey that eventually leads him to become a NASA engineer. October Sky is an inspiring, heartwarming tale of an ordinary man who sets out to achieve his extraordinary dream.

From James Marsh, starring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior, Sophie Perry
Rated PG-13

The Theory of Everything is a 2014 biographical drama film directed by James Marsh. The film stars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones as Stephen Hawking and his first wife, Jane Wilde Hawking. The plot follows the life of Stephen Hawking, the renowned theoretical physicist, from his days as a student at Cambridge University in the 1960s to his diagnosis of a motor neuron disease and his subsequent rise to international fame. It chronicles the progression of Stephen's physical condition, his relationship with Jane and their eventual divorce, as well as his scientific achievements and contributions to the field of cosmology. It also explores the emotional toll of his illness on his family and his struggle to maintain his sense of self. Ultimately, the film celebrates the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

From Scott Hicks, starring Geoffrey Rush, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Justin Braine, Sonia Todd
Rated PG-13

Shine is a biographical drama about the life of virtuoso pianist David Helfgott, who suffered a breakdown and spent years in institutions, before returning to the concert stage. The film follows David from his childhood, as he is pushed by his perfectionist and authoritarian father to become a child prodigy on the piano. Despite his success, David eventually suffers a breakdown and is hospitalized. After several years, he is released and begins to study music again. With the help of a sympathetic teacher, he is able to overcome his fears and re-emerge as a talented concert pianist. The film is a story of triumph over adversity, as David ultimately finds solace in his music and is able to reach his full potential.

From Tom Tykwer, starring Ben Whishaw, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman, Francesc Albiol
Rated R

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a 2006 film directed by Tom Tykwer that follows the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a gifted but troubled young man who is obsessed with capturing the perfect scent. Born with an incredible sense of smell, Grenouille is driven to create the world’s greatest perfume. After mastering the art of perfumery, he discovers that there is only one ingredient that will give him the perfect scent: human essence. Grenouille embarks on a murderous rampage in pursuit of his ambition, but soon discovers that the price of his success may be too high. The film explores the human capacity for obsession and manipulation, as well as the power of scent and its ability to conjure strong feelings and memories.

From Steven Zaillian, starring Joe Mantegna, Ben Kingsley, Max Pomeranc, Joan Allen
Rated PG

From Neil Burger, starring Bradley Cooper, Anna Friel, Abbie Cornish, Robert De Niro
Rated PG-13

From Liz Garbus, starring Bobby Fischer, David Edmonds, Anthony Saidy, Susan Polgar
Rated TV-14

From Kirsten Sheridan, starring Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Terrence Howard
Rated PG

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis, Ben Shenkman, Pamela Hart
Rated R

From Gus Van Sant, starring Sean Connery, Rob Brown, F. Murray Abraham, Anna Paquin
Rated PG-13

From Stephen Kijak, starring Sara Kestelman, Arnie Potts, Jarvis Cocker, Scott Walker
Rated Not Rated

From Ed Harris, starring Ed Harris, Marcia Gay Harden, Robert Knott, Molly Regan
Rated R

From Edward Zwick, starring Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg
Rated PG-13

From Robert Altman, starring Tim Roth, Paul Rhys, Adrian Brine, Jean-François Perrier
Rated PG-13

From Martha Coolidge, starring Val Kilmer, Stacy Peralta, Daniel Ades, Andres Aybar
Rated PG

From John Madden, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins, Hope Davis, Jake Gyllenhaal
Rated PG-13

From Jodie Foster, starring Jodie Foster, Dianne Wiest, Adam Hann-Byrd, Alex Lee
Rated PG

From Michael Apted, starring Dougray Scott, Kate Winslet, Saffron Burrows, Jeremy Northam
Rated R

From Jon Turteltaub, starring John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick, Forest Whitaker, Robert Duvall
Rated PG