I.Q.

Starring: Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, Walter Matthau, Charles Durning, James Moreland, Stephen Fry, Lou Jacobi, Gene Saks, Joseph Maher, Tony Shalhoub, Frank Whaley
Directed by: Fred Schepisi
Rating: PG
1994

Times Seen:
Tim: 5

Summary: Normal garage mechanic Ed Walters (Tim Robbins) falls immediately for pretty mathamatician Catherine (Meg Ryan). When he goes to return a watch she left behind, he learns her uncle is none other than Albert Einstein (Walter Matthau). The only problem with a possible Ed/Catherine romance is that Catherine is engaged to an English rat scientist (James Moreland). Now, Ed teams with Einstein and his three friends (Lou Jacobi, Gene Saks, Joseph Maher) to try to get Catherine to fall in love with him(and the only way to do that is to convince her he's a genius).

Review:

Tim: I have always loved this movie from the very first time I saw it. Something captivated me- perhaps it was the chemistry between Ryan and Robbins, maybe it was Walter Matthau as Albert Einstein, maybe the idea of love as a... boom! phenomenon; I'm not quite sure.

First off, Meg Ryan is at her adorable best here. She is so amazing, playing a very smart character (she's the niece of Albert Einstein, remember), but with just a touch of absentmindness that makes her simply irresistable. Tim Robbins is terrific as Ed Walters. I first saw Robbins in The Hudsucker Proxy, and was quite impressed, but it was this film that made me respect him forever. He is amazing here, and the chemsitry between Ryan and him is undeniable. They are perfect for each other, and you realize that from the very beginning.

Walter Matthau gives perhaps the best performance of his career here. He isn't called upon to do too much, just play the most intelligent man in the world. He does so with genius, you just know that he was perfect for the part, and you almost question whether you're really watching Albert Einstein.

This romantic comedy scores on nearly every level imaginable. It's funny, romantic, but also intelligent and intellectually stimulating. It plays on the ideas of the head and of the heart- of emotions and thought, and of topics like, "are there such things as accidents?"

To go with the near flawlessness of the film, the dialogue is brilliant. You'd expect Albert Einstein to have some witty one-liners, but Robbins holds his own, as Ed Walters matches wits with the greatest mind of the 20th century. One memorable line is when Einstein asks, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" and Walters responds, "Well what would be the odds of that?", much to the delight of Einstein's contemplative mind. Watch for the scene where Catherine asks Ed to recite a certain formula, and the help he gets from Einstein's friends- its hilarious.

I.Q. achieves so much success because it sets out to do a few things, and does them brilliantly. Meg Ryan and Tim Robbins are at their best, and with Walter Matthau in there, you know it's something special. This has always been one of my favorite movies, and if you're a fan of romantic comedies, you truly need to see this one.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 9



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Sleepless in Seattle, The Hudsucker Proxy, Nothing to Lose, You've Got Mail, Out to Sea, When Harry Met Sally