I.Q. (1994)

43% of critics liked it
(23 reviews)
46% of users liked it
(29,421 ratings)

Legendary scientist Albert Einstein (played here by Walter Matthau) takes a break from theoretical physics to try to set up his intellectual niece with a handsome auto mechanic in this romantic comedy. The movie's central conceit is that Einstein's brilliance extends to matters of the heart,… More Legendary scientist Albert Einstein (played here by Walter Matthau) takes a break from theoretical physics to try to set up his intellectual niece with a handsome auto mechanic in this romantic comedy. The movie's central conceit is that Einstein's brilliance extends to matters of the heart, allowing him to immediately sense that Ed Walters (Tim Robbins), a bright, lower-class mechanic obsessed with Popular Science Magazine, would be perfect for his niece Catherine (Meg Ryan). Unfortunately, Catherine is already engaged to a stiff Princeton man. In order to defeat Catherine's resistance, Uncle Albert decides to help Ed pretend to be a revolutionary scientist, a charade that inevitably leads to much farcical confusion. Einstein's scientist pals are portrayed as a Greek chorus of Catskills-style kibitzers, featuring such notable perfomers as Lou Jacobi as Kurt Godel and director Gene Saks as Boris Podolsky. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Fred Schepisi
Written By: Andy Breckman, Michael Leeson
Genres: Comedy, Romance

In Theaters: Dec 25, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Sep 23, 2003
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Walter Matthau makes a captivating and very funny Albert Einstein in this romantic comedy about the iconic scientist playing Cupid for his niece.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
Has been done to death, but there's something endearingly goofy about throwing Einstein, of all people, into the mix that breathes new life into the formula.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
It's bad in the way, in fact, of a film that seems a lot like a good movie until you accidentally think about it for just one second.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Junk
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
A Romantic Comedy without a bit of romantic chemistry or a solitary laugh . . . the most ill-concieved idea since they made Schwarznegger pregnant.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Tailor-made for lovers of romantic comedy.

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Not that great.
Jason O

"I.Q." pits Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan in a fun and witty romantic comedy that is actually pretty good. Catherine (Meg Ryan) is already engaged to a scientist that is smart just like she is. She shows up at Ed's (Tim Robbins) mechanic shop after the car she's riding… More
"I.Q." pits Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan in a fun and witty romantic comedy that is actually pretty good. Catherine (Meg Ryan) is already engaged to a scientist that is smart just like she is. She shows up at Ed's (Tim Robbins) mechanic shop after the car she's riding in has a problem. Ed falls in love with her instantly, but there's one problem, Catherine loves with her brain, not her heart, so she wouldn't ever give a normal everyday guy like Ed a chance. However, there is hope for Ed because Catherine is the niece of Albert Einstein (Walter Matthau) and Mr. Einstein wants Catherine to go out with Ed instead of the guy that she is engaged to. Soon Albert and his colleagues help Ed get to Catherine by turning him into a seem to be genius even though he's not a genius. "I.Q." is witty and it's a good movie to watch. It's plot is interesting and the acting isn't bad either. My only complaint is that it wasn't as funny as I was expecting it to be. Parts of it are funny such as when Albert Einstein and his colleagues help Ed answer some multiple choice questions, but it could've been funnier since it had Walter Matthau and Tim Robbins as two of its main stars. But it's still a good movie and I do recommend it. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. Not a memorable film at all, especially for having the actors it does.
Kalel J

One of the worst movies you'll be likely to see. The single most idiotic premise filmed on celluloid and a great example of a movie that caters for just about no audience. The only wonder in the film comes through the nature that this tripe, somehow, did not kill the careers of… More
One of the worst movies you'll be likely to see. The single most idiotic premise filmed on celluloid and a great example of a movie that caters for just about no audience. The only wonder in the film comes through the nature that this tripe, somehow, did not kill the careers of anyone involved. This is the kind of film to, single handedly, lower your respect for some of your favourite actors. Tim Robbins, how could you? Shameful, embarrassing, and something highly forgettable - avoid this film.
danny d

decent flick
Leigh R

Cute.
Sunil J

Dumb! It's supposed to take place in the 50's but you would never be able to guess that!. I like Meg Ryan but the only remotely fun thing about this romantic comedy is Walter Matthau.
Jim W

Walter Matthau in one of his last Oscar worthy performances plays Albert Einstein. He helps a young auto mechanic (Tim Robbins) catch the eye of his niece (Meg Ryan) by pretending that he's a genius. A lot of romantic comedies are crap but I.Q. is smart with a lot of… More
Walter Matthau in one of his last Oscar worthy performances plays Albert Einstein. He helps a young auto mechanic (Tim Robbins) catch the eye of his niece (Meg Ryan) by pretending that he's a genius. A lot of romantic comedies are crap but I.Q. is smart with a lot of charm. That's because all three leads are incredibly likable. While the Academy should be ashamed that they ignored Mathau's ingenious performance.
Patrick D

I saw this years and years ago but I really enjoyed it then.

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Tim Robbins as Ed Walters

            Meg Ryan as Catherine Boyd

            Walter Matthau as Albert Einstein

            Lou Jacobi as Kurt Godel

            Gene Saks as Boris Podolsky

            Joseph Maher as Nathan Liebknecht

            Stephen Fry as James Moreland

            Tony Shalhoub as Bob Rosetti

            Frank Whaley as Frank

            Scotty Bloch as Dinner Guest

            Jeff Brooks as Reporter

            Keene Curtis as Eisenhower

            Alice Drummond as Dinner guest

            Charles Durning as Louis Bamberger

            Sol Frieder as Professor Loewenstein

            Helen Hanft as Rose

            Tim Jerome as Academic

            Alice Playten as Gretchen

            Rex Robbins as Suit

            Lewis J. Stadlen as Moderator

            Daniel von Bargen as Secret service agent

            Richard Woods as Suit

            Danny Zorn as Dennis

            Leo Leyden as Dinner Guest

            John McDonough as Academic
See full cast

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