I.Q. Synopsis: A mechanic romances the mathematician niece of physicist Albert Einstein, with help from him and his friends.
When Ed, an auto mechanic, locks eyes with an engaged, beautiful mathematician, Catherine, he is convinced they’re destined to be together. He is thrilled to discover her uncle is renowned physicist Albert Einstein, and the two become fast friends. Einstein and his friends, Kurt Gödel, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Liebknecht, conspire with Ed to pass him off as a genius to win Catherine’s heart.
First things first: I.Q. is historically inaccurate in so many ways. I’m not going to waste time listing them all here since I don’t know that it necessarily takes away from the movie’s enjoyment. Just be aware that this movie uses real people in an entirely fictional way.
This was another first watch for me and made for effortless viewing. Walter Matthau easily steals the show as Einstein-turned-Cupid. I have zero idea about what Einstein was like in real life, but sometimes, I forget entirely that I was watching Walter Matthau. That’s a sign of an excellent performance, even in a so-so film.
Meg Ryan and Tim Robbins have enough spark on screen together to make the romance something to root for, even though Ed and Einstein are essentially deceiving her as to who Ed really is. Plus, you know, Catherine is engaged, though that has never really stopped true love before.
Stephen Fry plays James, Catherine’s fiancé, and there’s nothing wrong with him. He’s not a jerk… he’s just… boring. There’s no spark, no passion—just two like-minded people comfortable with each other. But Ed is different; he’s impulsive and challenges Catherine. So because of this, James has got to go.
I.Q. is a not terrible, but not great rom-com saved by some genuinely funny performances. My mind wandered a few times during the movie, and I didn’t really feel like I missed much when I refocused. So I think it would be a great movie for a date night when you want something light and fluffy.
Watched: 07/29/2022
Notable Song: Tutti Frutti by Little Richard