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Genius poster

Film · 2016

Genius

Directed by Michael Grandage · starring Maddie Rice, Colin Firth and Jude Law

  • 1 h 44 min
  • PG
  • Drama · Biography · History
  • UKUSA
  • Released in the UK 9 June 2016
  • 7.2 Users8 votes
Watch trailer Where to watch · from £2.49 Rate it

Synopsis

Based on the biography 'Max Perkins: Editor of Genius' by A. Scott Berg. This is the opera prima of Michael Grandage, who was artistic director of the acclaimed Donmar Warehouse in London from 2002-2011, when he succeeded Sam Mendes. With a screenplay written by John Logan ('The Aviator', 'Gladiator', 'Skyfall'), the film features a comprehensive cast formed by Colin Firth ('The King's Speech', 'A Single Man'), Jude Law ('Cold Mountain', 'The Talented Mr. Ripley'), Nicole Kidman ('The Hours', 'Australia'), Laura Linney ('Mr. Holmes, 'Kinsey') and Guy Pearce ('Memento', 'Animal Kingdom'). The film shows Thomas Wolfe, a man full of talent and a captivating personality that is a successful writer. Also it's Max Perkins, the man who discovered him and one of the most respected editors of that time. The friendship that these two men had was like a father to his son, but he will make Thomas Perkins several own follies of youth.

Where to watch Genius

All the options

Available now in the UK:

Availability checked on 8 November 2026.

The essentials

Runtime
104 min1 hour and 44 minutes
Box office
$804,785in US
Rating
PGParental guidance
How long is Genius?
1 hour and 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was Genius released in the UK?
It was released in the UK on 9 June 2016.
Who directed Genius?
Michael Grandage.
Who is in Genius?
It stars Maddie Rice, Colin Firth, Jude Law and Nicole Kidman.
Where can I watch Genius?
In the UK it is available to rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.
How much did Genius make?
It took $804,785 in US.
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Cast

Full cast (20)
Director
Michael Grandage
Writers
John Logan
Producers
Tim Bevan, Nik Bower, Michael Grandage, John Logan

Videos and trailers

All 3 videos
'Genius' Trailer 2:3120 July 2016

Photos and posters

All 9 photos

Reviews

All 7 reviews
7.2 8 votes
  • 100 %
  • 913 %
  • 825 %
  • 713 %
  • 638 %
  • ≤513 %

What the critics say

  • El MundoLuis Martínez "Decent, tidy and really cleaned biopic. (...) The problem is that the magnetism of the story which it is discerned does not really find on screen a flat and precious translation which is more… Read
  • FotogramasSergi Sánchez "There are British movies which are cut by the same pattern. 'The King's Speech'. 'The Danish Girl' and now 'Genius' belong to this category. (...) A forgettable movie." Read
  • El PeriódicoNando Salvá 'The movie fails because of its narrative commonness, its clischés resource like the tortured writer and, specially, the incredible histrionic interpretation of Law". Read

Box office

Weekend by weekend
  • US $804,785

Awards

All the awards

Soundtrack

See the song
  1. Flow Gently Sweet AftonLondon Voices Spotify

Trivia

  • National Book Award

    A. Scott Berg's biography 'Max Perkins: Editor of Genius', on which the film is based, won the National Book Award, upon the publication in 1978.

  • Jude Law's preparation

    In preparation for his part, Jude Law visited the The Thomas Wolfe Memorial in Wolfe's hometown Asheville, NC.

  • Michael Grandage

    Michael Grandage's debut as director of a feature film.

  • Michael Fassbender

    Michael Fassbender was cast as Thomas Wolfe but after the film was delayed, it caused scheduling conflicts and Fassbender dropped out. Jude Law later replaced him.

  • 15 years

    The movie has been in development for 15 years, according to screenwriter John Logan, who first read the novel in 1983.

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