As a former high school student who once dreamt of attending Juilliard and now works tirelessly to help underprivileged students achieve their academic goals, I found “Bad Genius” both entertaining and thought-provoking. The film does an excellent job of highlighting the stark socioeconomic disparities that exist within our educational systems, and it offers a fresh take on the classic coming-of-age story by featuring a diverse Asian lead.
In this modern retelling, titled “Bad Genius,” a group of resourceful high school students from Seattle devise an audacious plan to outsmart the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). This remake of the 2017 Thai film incorporates racial undertones into its exploration of class and economic disparities. The talented cast breathes life into a script with moments of questionable logic, predictability, and an unbelievably improbable climax. Despite the seemingly impossible nature of their mission, the film effectively conveys that the privileged often bend or break rules to their advantage.
Welcome to Exton Pacific High School
In 2016, Lynn (Callina Liang), an Asian freshman preparing for high school, finds herself seated at a crucial meeting with her father Meng (Benedict Wong). The representative from the prestigious Exton Pacific private school, Irene Walsh (Sarah-Jane Redmond), suggests that Lynn enroll in the fall. However, Lynn expresses reluctance due to financial constraints as her father operates a laundromat and the annual tuition of $50,000 seems beyond their reach. To further emphasize their predicament, Lynn outlines additional expenses and transportation issues. Irene is left astounded by Lynn’s intelligence and her knack for swiftly addressing problems on the spot.
Meng insists on finding a solution for acquiring the necessary funds.
In the school, Lynn is picked on by typical unkind girls due to her habit of bringing her own lunches. The well-liked student, Grace (Taylor Hickson), steps up in defense for her. Over time, they quickly form a close bond, and Lynn becomes part of Grace’s group of friends. Later, Grace introduces Lynn to her affluent boyfriend Pat (Samuel Braun). Grace expresses her displeasure with her grades since she’s struggling, and her parents aren’t happy about it. A few weeks later, during a math test, Lynn secretly provides answers to Grace when she needs help.
A Hectic Framing Device Frames an Asian Character Study
In his first directorial venture, renowned producer (of ‘How to Get Away with Murder’), playwright (‘Luce’), and screenwriter (‘The Morning Show’), J.C. Lee, takes a more edgy approach. The movie commences with a character named Lynn undergoing interrogation about an affair allegation by an unseen person. She vehemently denies the accusations. As the story unfolds, other characters, who also find themselves in similar predicaments, interject throughout the narrative, echoing her denials in the same setting. Lee employs sharp cuts between scenes, accompanied by jarring sound effects, to create a tense atmosphere. The viewers are only given the complete picture at a climax filled with chaos, where it becomes apparent that the proverbial “poop” has indeed hit the fan.
Lynn realizes that she’s become a mascot and token for the school. Teachers parade her around like a show dog. She’s the poor kid who’s made the most of her opportunity. This triggers a streak of rebellious resentment. Why should she help everyone else and not get anything in return? Juilliard will cost a fortune. How can she get the money to live in expensive New York City? Start charging the trust fund babies for her help. They get good grades. She’ll achieve her dream. It’s a win-win situation until a fellow student notices the conspiracy. Bank (Jabari Banks), a Nigerian classmate with a story similar to Lynn’s, smells a rat and wrestles with how to deal with her duplicity. Why should the wealthy not work hard and continue to get ahead?
Class Commentary Drifts Into Unrealistic Absurdity
From my perspective as a fan, “Bad Genius” boldly delves into the complexities of exploitation. I find myself questioning the nature of my friends Grace and Pat when I realize they’re not bearing the same risks as me. They have the luxury of wealthy parents to cushion any fall. The question that gnaws at me is, are they true friends or just using me to further their own ambitions? Principles like morality, ethics, and loyalty seem to take a backseat to yet another calculated move. Does it matter to me what their intentions are as long as I’m reaping the financial rewards? The more money I accumulate, the more ruthless I become.
In the movie, Lynn’s intricate cheating techniques take it to an unrealistic level. The screenplay is filled with scenes showcasing her extraordinary memory and cunning manipulation. Pulling off what she does would require a supercomputer. Her outrageous SAT strategy amplifies the risk factor significantly. The film loses credibility when it starts resembling Mission: Impossible, pushing the boundaries of realism to their limits.
Bad Genius effectively captures the emotional aspect. The relationship between Wong and Liang as father and daughter seems genuine, making it apparent that they genuinely care for each other. When their plans fall apart, you can feel their pain, much like when we disappoint someone dear to us. This is the film’s strongest point and why this reviewer awards Bad Genius a positive rating.
The film “Bad Genius” is a joint production by Little Ray Media, Picture Perfect Federation, and Picturestart. It will be simultaneously available for video-on-demand and limited theater screenings on October 11th via Vertical Entertainment. You can rent or purchase it on various digital platforms such as Google Play, Apple TV, Fandango Now, or Amazon Prime Video by clicking the link provided:
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2024-10-12 06:44