Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 28, 1994 TAG: 9412280060
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
With an attractive cast, a serviceable and none-too-challenging script and a comfortable sense of place, the film is Hollywood escapism at its frothy best.
The setting is Princeton, New Jersey, in the mid-1950s. Albert Einstein (Walter Matthau) is the resident genius. He conspires with his three cronies Godel (Lou Jacobi), Podolsky (Gene Saks) and Liebknecht (Joe Maher) to spice up the romantic life of his brainy niece Catherine (Meg Ryan) after she meets Ed (Tim Robbins), an equally brainy but uneducated auto mechanic.
Since she is engaged to James (Stephen Fry), a stuffy psychologist, they decide to trick her into thinking that Ed is their equal as a scientist by having him present a paper at a high-powered symposium.
No, you cannot question the ridiculous premise. To enjoy "I.Q." just sit back and go with it. And that's easy to do.
Director Fred Schepisi handles this material with the same delicate touch that he demonstrated in "Roxanne." He also made good use of the Princeton locations. New Jersey has never looked this good on screen.
Writers Andy Breckman and Michael Leeson seem to have tailored the characters to the strengths of their stars, particularly Meg Ryan. They take full advantage of that unfocused, dreamy-eyed look that she does so well. Tim Robbins wisely does not try to upstage her, but both of them give ground to their four senior co-stars.
Matthau certainly looks and sounds like Einstein, and his scenes with his three pals are the film's funniest. The "pop quiz" is just terrific.
There are absolutely no surprises to be found in "I.Q.," but that's not a real flaw. When conventional Hollywood entertainment works right, familiarity can be a blessing, and that's the case here.
I.Q. ***
A Paramount release playing at the Tanglewood Mall Theatre. 92 min. Rated PG for a little innuendo.
by CNB