Superb Einsteins help ‘Genius’ hold together
The National Geographic Channel wants to allay any concern that its first scripted series will be all boring and science-y, so “Genius” opens with Albert Einstein with his pants around his ankles as he has his way with his mistress against a blackboard. Talk about your theory of relativity. Well, actually, the 10-part series, premiering on Tuesday, April 25, does talk about the theory of relativity, as well as Einstein’s evolution from impetuous, iconoclastic and hormonal student to the greatest mind of the 20th century.
“Genius” is a fully engaging, entertaining and informative look at the life of
Einstein, whose family leaves him behind in Germany to finish school while they relocate to Milan. Einstein (Johnny Flynn) goes to study in Switzerland, where he bunks with the more liberal Winteler family and falls in love with their daughter, Marie (Shannon Tarbet).
At school, he is always way ahead of any of his teachers, and not in the least bit reticent to challenge them at every opportunity. Even the existence of molecules is not considered proven at this point in history.
The series, whose first episode is directed by Ron Howard, has a kind of shuttlecock structure, zipping back and forth between young Einstein (Flynn) and the revered professor Einstein (Geoffrey Rush), who at first sees no reason to flee Germany as Hitler amasses power but soon acquiesces to his wife’s (Emily Watson) wishes to head to the United States.
While the series’ structure mirrors Einstein’s notion that time is relative and flexible, Einstein wasn’t a film director. And here, the bifurcated structure sometimes works against the otherwise effective dramatic vision of the series. Just when you are getting into something young Albert is doing, you’re catapulted back to old Albert.
That said, the performances are winning. Although you won’t see any physical resemblance between Flynn’s Albert and Rush’s, even if you squint, their individually superb performances complement each other effectively.
Equally fine work is turned in by Watson, Tarbet, Alistair Petrie as Einstein’s increasingly impatient teacher and Robert Lindsay as Einstein’s frustrated father. Samantha Colley is a standout as Mileva Maric, a young woman who demands a place in university classes only meant for men and who becomes an important part of Einstein’s life.
The series, based on Walter Isaacson’s book “Einstein: His Life and Universe,” is executiveproduced by Brian Grazer and Howard, for better or worse. Their films are often entertaining and informative without being especially adventurous, and “Genius” immediately calls to mind one of their best, “A Beautiful Mind.”
As the Nazis rise to power, we get a sense of the growing terror among the Jewish population in Germany, but within a relatively sanitized context. One scene stands out: As older Einstein hurries away from a melee involving Nazi brownshirts, a Hitler Youth member chases after him. We feel a pang of anxiety, but the kid only wants the autograph of the famed professor.
The first two episodes do confirm that Nat Geo is heading in the right direction with scripted material. Although the primary focus of “Genius” is on Einstein, the man, writer Ken Biller carefully weaves mathematical content into the narrative.
Don’t worry: There won’t be a quiz.