Scribiners Archive

Genius (2016)

by Audiophile Audition | Aug 30, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

A fascinating story of a famous writer’s struggles to get his books published. Genius (2016) Cast: Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Laura Linney, Guy Pearce Director: Michael Grandage Studio: Summit/ Lionsgate (9/6/16) Video: 2.39:1 for 16:9 screens, color Audio: English DD 5.1 Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish Extras: “Genesis of Genius,” “Painting a Portrait of the Lost Generation” Length: 98 min. Rating: ***** This film chronicles the NYC 1930s’ lifestyle and the chaotic relationship between the great North Carolina author Thomas Wolfe and his editor at Scribiner – Maxwell Perkins. Their friendship goes thru many phases as they work tirelessly on editing down the lengthy and verbose handwritten manuscripts of Wolfe. Wolfe’s wife is also a major fixture in the rocky relationships, and she seems to understand what is happening between her husband and the editor better than either of them do. It’s quite amazing that the filmmakers were able to somehow make it interesting to watch what an editor does.  [I’m so glad I don’t have  those length problems with any of my writers… Ed.] Firth, as the editor, always keeps his hat on, until the very end when he reads the final letter Wolfe has sent him […]