Young Einstein

Young Einstein (1989)

  • 35% of critics liked it
    (31 reviews)

  • 44% of users liked it
    (11,984 ratings)

The life of legendary scientist Albert Einstein is re-imagined as a slapstick farce in this comic fantasy. Changing Einstein's country of origin from Germany to Tasmania, the film shows the scientist's eventful youth as he creates rock & roll and discovers the secret of splitting the beer… More

Play Trailer

PG,
Directed By
Genres
Comedy
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1988 Wide
Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

  • Desmond Ryan, Philadelphia Inquirer

    The movie runs out of -- excuse me again -- energy in the late going, and the invention of the humor is uneven. But Serious plays the title role with charm and lightness. His wild red hair makes Don King's look like a crewcut.

  • Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

    Considering the pre-opening buildup this film has had, it could turn out to be a bigger bomb than the one Einstein's theory anticipated.

  • Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune

    The next Serious movie could well be something special.

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    It has the charm and advantage of a genuine visual style of its own, both laconic and witty, as well as a likably dopey plot and cast of characters.

  • Chris Willman, Los Angeles Times

    Einstein has a handsome period look, even when director of photography Jeff Darling is shooting the musical montages that periodically break up the action.

Read all 16 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

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

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

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Lucas M


    Good photography and a few interesting moments doesn't make Young Einstein a nice picture to watch.

  • Lafe F


    This movie was hyped in 1988 more than "Jason Goes to Manhattan" ever was! Yahoo Serious was a quirky Australian comic akin to Pee-Wee Hermann and Napoleon Dynamite. I wonder if he inspired Yahoo.com?? Regardless, he appears in a quiet little comedy about his exploits… More

  • Dean M


    Different to believe, Einstein invented not only relativity, but also the electric guitar and surfing, splitting the atom in his spare time.

  • rocko p


    The most fun movie I've watched in years. Kinda like Bill & Ted meet Bill Nighe. I really just wanted to say that cause it sounded cool.

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