Real Genius is a 1985 comedy film starring Val Kilmer. The movie is set on the campus of "Pacific Tech," a fictitious university in the United States. Chris Knight, played by Val Kilmer, is a genius in his senior year working on a chemical laser. He came to the university as a subdued, studious student, but over time turned into a prankster and fun character after deciding to enjoy life more. Mitch is a new student to the campus who is paired up with Knight to work on the laser. He is like a young Knight, and originally has trouble settling in, but Knight manages to teach him how to live on campus without "burning out".

More recently, comparisons have been made between "Real Genius" and the Airborne Laser project for the U.S. Air Force. The most obvious difference, however, is that the Airborne Laser is defensive in nature.

While the actual campus used in the filming was that of Occidental College, many references suggest that "Pacific Tech" is meant as a thinly disguised version of Caltech. Dave Marvit, a former Caltech undergraduate student, was a consultant for the film, and photographs of graffiti on the walls of Dabney House at Caltech were used for interior sets.

Cast

• Val Kilmer - Chris Knight
• Gabriel Jarret - Mitch Taylor
• Michelle Meyrink - Jordan Cochran
• William Atherton - Prof. Jerry Hathaway
• Jon Gries - Lazlo Hollyfeld
• Robert Prescott - Kent Torokvei
• Patti D'Arbanville - Sherry Nugil
• Stacy Peralta - Shuttle Pilot
• Daniel Ades - Laser Ray Victim
• Andres Aybar - Bartender
• Louis Giambalvo - Maj. Carnagle
• Ed Lauter - David Decker
• Charles Shull - Air Force General
• Beau Billingslea - George
• Charles Parks - Larry
• Sean Frye - Boy at Science Fair

External links

• List of references to Caltech in the film