Real Genius is another of my favorite movies from the 1980s. It's a silly little comedy, but one that they still show from time to time on cable television and I almost can't help but stop on whichever channel is showing it when I find it.

Val Kilmer (remember when he made comedies?) plays Chris Knight, a genius student at fictional college Pacific Tech (a thinly disguised Caltech). Despite being super smart, Chris is a bit of an eccentric, often finding himself at odds with the faculty and the more serious of the students. He is joined by young and earnest Mitch Taylor, a 15 year old genius who is the second youngest student to ever attend Pacific Tech. Mitch ends up rooming with Chris because as Chris puts it, "You see Mitch, I used to be you. And lately I've been missing me so I asked Dr. Hathaway if I could room with me again and he said sure." Together they're working on developing a laser that will eventually (unbeknownst to them) be used as a weapon, but that's not really important. The more important thing is the humor along the way as the two of them bond and battle wits against the slimy Dr. Hathaway and his creepy student assistant Kent.

While Mitch could technically be said to be the main character, it is Kilmer as Knight who steals the film. He gets the best lines and is just humorously charming throughout. His banter with Mitch is some of the brightest moments in the movie.
Mitch: Why does he keep going into our closet?
Chris: Why do you keep going into our closet?
Mitch: To get my clothes - but that's not why he goes in there.
Chris: Of course not, he's twice your size - your clothes would never fit him. Think before you ask these questions, Mitch. Twenty points higher than me? Thinks a big guy like that can wear his clothes?

There are other funny and memorable lines as well.
Chris: What about that time I found you naked with that bowl of Jell-O?
Kent: Look, it was hot and I was hungry, okay?

Jordan: Are you going to take me home to meet your parents?
Mitch: No.
Jordan: Why? Are you ashamed of me?
Mitch: No, them.

Like many of my favorite movies from the 80s this one features a terrific soundtrack from the era. "One Night Love Affair", "All She Wants to Do is Dance" among others and ending with that go to song of the 1980s, Tears For Fears', "Everybody Wants to Rule the World". It also features not one, but two, of those classic 1980s montage sequences!

This movie makes me feel old because when I watch it I think things like, "How come they don't make comedies like this anymore?" Sure it's very lightweight, but it makes me feel good when I watch it. And when it comes right down to it, that's how the majority of movies should make you feel.

I remember that after seeing this movie for the first time, I knew I wanted to attend Pacific Tech. Not much has changed. Watching it today almost 25 years later and I still wish I could attend.

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