I.Q. (1994)

“I would rather be an optimist and a fool than a pessimist and right.” – Kurt Godel

Number of Times Seen – Twice (Cable in the 90’s and 9 Nov 2021)

Brief Synopsis – The niece of Albert Einstein is courted by a local mechanic with the help of the esteemed physicist and his colleagues.

My Take on it – Really fun film that works despite it’s absurdity.

Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan have iffy chemistry here, but things still feel plausible because her chemistry with fiancee Stephen Fry is even worse.

The story follows a typical rom-com trajectory and that seems to work because of the way it all plays out.

The problem with this film is that the rom-com aspect is downplayed due to the hilarious performance by Walter Matthau as Einstein who does all he can to play cupid between these two characters.

The scenes where Robbins’ character is being tested for his mental abilities is great and is hilarious in the way that it all plays out especially given the way that Matthau and his cronies help him along the way.

The setting works quite well too and adds to the atmosphere of the time while also helping to show that this small town is an intimate setting away from the hustle and bustle of the big city not that far away.

Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – The lines spoken by Walter Matthau as Einstein, “I’d rather be an optimist and a fool than a pessimist and right”, “Time is an illusion”, and “God does not play dice”, are all actual Albert Einstein quotations. (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy (7/10)