Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear) is happily married to Phyllis (Lauren Graham) with six children. He's an ethics professor and a mechanical engineer with no manufacturing experience. He does see a problem with his windshield wiper and invents the intermittent windshield wiper. He with the help of Gil Previck (Dermot Mulroney) patent and tries to sell the device. He works with Ford and sets up his own manufacturing plant. However, Ford steals his idea and he struggles to gain redress in court.This is a small guy being taken advantage by a large corporation. It's a simple idea and a simple underdog story. The drama is straight forward. There are no big unexpected twists. In the end, it is just compelling enough to be good.

A man's obsession with doing the right thing at any cost. Robert Kearns was driving his car during some light rain, and upon becoming annoyed with starting and stopping the windshield wipers with the control button, had his flash of genius about making something to delay the wipers; and the rest is history, as any of us who use intermittent wipers on our modern vehicles knows.The description of the plot gave me doubts, but I must admit that I was wrong, because the story is compelling from beginning to end. Kearns used his basement as a lab for experiments until he is able to make a device that works in a fish tank. He meets with Ford researchers who have been working on a project with the same goal, without success. Kearns is asked to come up with a cost per unit outline. He rents a warehouse to set up production, but becomes concerned when no one calls him back from Ford. They introduce the new Mustang with his idea. They deny the fact that they stole his invention, and as a result, he has a nervous breakdown, and is put in a mental hospital. His wife and children leave him because of his ongoing court battles, and his attorney, Gregory Lawson(Alan Alda) quits the case after Kearns refuses his advice to settle with Ford. Eventually, he finally is victorious, but at great personal cost. Flash of Genius is an outstanding real life drama, and Greg Kinnear is perfect as Kearns.

I don't think I've ever seen Greg Kinnear not bring his A-game, never seen him play in junk. This movie is not exception. He is truly one of the finest character actors on the scene, we should all be grateful we get a chance to experience his work, they don't make too many like that these days.This movie is one I had only glanced at previously on HBO, never really took the time to watch in full. I finally did today and I'm glad I did. I think only a certain type of person will really be able to identify with the main character. Only if you feel you have something unique to offer can you really grasp the depth of anger and sadness and betrayal one would feel if that uniqueness is stolen. Kinnear evoked that real emotion very well. Other highlights were Alan Alda and the kids.I really found myself disliking the characters played be Graham and Mulroney. Their ability to leave someone at a time he needed them most was just infuriating to me...even though it was probably realistic.Anyway, yes the movie is somewhat formulaic, but I didn't mind that. I even found myself wishing towards the end, "Please let that jury find in his favor." As someone emotionally invested in the film by the end, I would have been devastated had it not turned out favorably for the main character. And this movie had the added benefit of being true, which in my eyes, made it even more endearing.It's a nice movie, no fireworks, no Oscar nominations or anything, just a nice way to spend two hours. 7/10

When I heard "Flash Of Genius" was about the invention of the intermittent windshield wiper I thought instead of viewing it, perhaps, I might spend my time watching paint dry because it would be of equal entertainment with the added benefit of a freshly painted room. I'm glad I opted to watch the "wiper story" because it is a factual document of one of the world's largest corporations doing what they do on a daily basis, that is to take advantage of their enormous power with little or no regard to the individual...But, I'm glad to report, in this case, having criminal culpability and enormous financial liability.Dr. Bob Kearns was a inventor, college professor, and family man. He solved the deceptively simple task of matching an automobile's windshield wiper wipe frequency to varying rain intensity. Bottom line, he invented the intermittent windshield wiper for the automobile, but he made the mistake of allowing Ford to dissect his invention prior to having an ironclad contract. He trusted Ford to be morally upright and true to their word...Big mistake! What follows is a man's personal descent into Hell. His best friend and business partner bails on him, he suffers a mental breakdown complete with forced hospitalization, more than one or two lawyers claiming to do whatever it takes for justice actually are hoping for fast settlements, and his wife divorces him moving away with their kids. All the while, first Ford, and then all automakers, sell new cars with their miraculous "intermittent wiper" feature. As I watched this I was actually glad I had not owned a Ford vehicle in five or so years! Flash of Genius is "Rudy" by another name and genre. It is akin to David slaying Goliath. It's like cresting Everest in flip-flops, shorts, and a t-shirt! Bob Kearns didn't just win against Ford, he exposed their dishonesty, lack of morals, and treachery in front of the world-a far greater, if not impossible, accomplishment. The story is even better because after exhausting all those high minded "justice seeking" lawyers Bob "took out the garbage" and acted as his own legal counsel. Thus when Dr. Kearns won his settlement Ford also had to pay him legal fees which went 100% to his family. The portrayal of these facts just serve to make the story more rich! For me, Greg Kinnear makes this story come to life. He's not overly sympathetic, but he's completely vulnerable as his old life dissolves into a complete need to have Ford give him his rightful compensation. He deftly plays a brittle, though not completely broken, man who has lost everything save his pride regarding his invention. There is a true low-key brilliance at work here, both in the message and the messenger. If you value true life underdog stories where against all odds the protagonist prevails look no further. A very good film overall I'd say.