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Ingenious

  • 2009
  • R
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
Jeremy Renner, Ayelet Zurer, and Dallas Roberts in Ingenious (2009)
It only takes one idea...
Play trailer1:33
1 Video
16 Photos
ComedyDramaRomance

A rags-to-riches story of two friends, a small-time inventor and a sharky salesman, who hit rock bottom before coming up with a gizmo that becomes a worldwide phenomenon.A rags-to-riches story of two friends, a small-time inventor and a sharky salesman, who hit rock bottom before coming up with a gizmo that becomes a worldwide phenomenon.A rags-to-riches story of two friends, a small-time inventor and a sharky salesman, who hit rock bottom before coming up with a gizmo that becomes a worldwide phenomenon.

  • Director
    • Jeff Balsmeyer
  • Writer
    • Mike Cram
  • Stars
    • Dallas Roberts
    • Jeremy Renner
    • Ayelet Zurer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    2.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jeff Balsmeyer
    • Writer
      • Mike Cram
    • Stars
      • Dallas Roberts
      • Jeremy Renner
      • Ayelet Zurer
    • 19User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins total

    Videos1

    Ingenious
    Trailer 1:33
    Ingenious

    Photos15

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    + 10
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    Top cast54

    Edit
    Dallas Roberts
    Dallas Roberts
    • Matt
    Jeremy Renner
    Jeremy Renner
    • Sam
    Ayelet Zurer
    Ayelet Zurer
    • Gina
    Marguerite Moreau
    Marguerite Moreau
    • Cinda
    Amanda Anka
    Amanda Anka
    • Louisa
    Richard Kind
    Richard Kind
    • Newkin
    Eddie Jemison
    Eddie Jemison
    • Bean
    Judith Scott
    Judith Scott
    • Rita
    Debby Rosenthal
    • Brenda
    Michael Kagan
    Michael Kagan
    • Mort
    Rob Brownstein
    Rob Brownstein
    • Kent
    David Frederick White
    David Frederick White
    • Dave V.O. Talent
    Vince Grant
    Vince Grant
    • Randall
    François Chau
    François Chau
    • Mr. Chow
    Melissa Alejandra
    • Voice Talent
    Matt O'Toole
    Matt O'Toole
    • Larry Kelly
    Jonathan Simpson
    Jonathan Simpson
    • Tom
    Shannon Whirry
    Shannon Whirry
    • Lydia
    • Director
      • Jeff Balsmeyer
    • Writer
      • Mike Cram
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews19

    5.72.2K
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    Featured reviews

    6bjarias

    ..there's really one very good reason to watch

    If the woman was as alluring-captivating as her, I'd have in a heartbeat made her a full partner as well (totally slick the way she gets 'him' set up). Well cast.. all other actors do good work, but I watched this film specifically to see Ayelet Zurer. Her performance in my mind was the payoff, she is just something special (incredible at 44... bing her.. binged.it/1sHfTuB ..look at all her incredible pix). It is totally obvious why she is so damn popular in her country, too bad more of her better work is not available to stateside audiences. Back to this movie, it's a fairly typical storyline, with your oh-so foreseeable ending.. with a slight twist. Had it come up with more noteworthy mood-enhancing background score, it could possibly have achieved another star. It definitely benefits from another full viewing.
    7russell-11788

    A film without someone being murdered

    Nice to watch a film , that touches a little bit of everyone's imagination and lives ,without a murder in it ,or a with the now standard special person who can be shot at 30 times but fires off one round and is a victor As with everything , there are are some obvious areas of concerns for the self righteous and do gooders to have a little word here and there .

    However , very easy to watch and yes no surprises really ,but a nice 90 minutes with some good acting in many places .

    Reviews vary as always , people have very different opinions but for my part ,as a person who just likes films and due to watching mostly everything in lockdown felt in short supply of good story well portrayed .
    8Serenal94

    Surprisingly good

    I went into this movie with the idea that it would be pretty boring. Its not my typical type of movie genre... However, despite the lack of action (there was never any thrilling movie-climax moment that you get so much these days) it certainly was entertaining. I NEVER felt bored. Its a steady movie. Dallas Roberts and Jeremy Renner do a fantastic job. The characters feel so real, like they could be your neighbors, your friends, any common person. I was impressed by the amazing cinematography. It's scene after scene of beautiful camera angles. I was particularly struck by the spectacular lighting, using the dessert sun and scenery to their advantage. I didn't catch who directed the cameras, but I want to find them and hug them and make them turn my life into such a beautiful thing as they did this film. So, while it wasn't the best movie ever, I do love it and don't regret watching. I'd DEFINITELY recommend it to my friends.
    6kosmasp

    Ideas

    Renner wasn't big when he made this movie. Which is exactly why this only came out after his Avengers and Bourne outputs. Which is a shame, because the movie, which is based on a true story, is actually pretty decent. The acting in it too. And not only Renner, who's just a side character in the whole thing.

    We get a fairly normal movie with its ups and downs. And even without knowing the real story behind this, we know where our characters will land at the end of the movie. Well it would be a surprise, if it is a surprise for anyone watching. What I didn't know, was what exactly would be the reason for that to happen. Who'd knew it would be that? And if they did, could they have come up with something like that too? Can we still?
    7lee_eisenberg

    the innovators

    Jeff Balsmeyer's "Ingenious" focuses on a pair of inventors about whom I had never heard. Dallas Roberts and Jeremy Renner play the friends who are trying to find the next great innovation, a process that isn't without a few challenges. Their great achievement is something that looks as if it would be pretty neat to own. Sometimes when I see movies that look at these topics, it surprises me that I'd never heard of the subject (in this case the kind of bottle opener that they create). Now that I know about it I just might try to go out and find one of those bottle openers. In the meantime I recommend this movie. It's not a masterpiece but still worth seeing.

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      Matt: Like Edison said, if you want to have a good idea, have a lot of them.

    • Connections
      References The Wizard of Oz (1939)
    • Soundtracks
      Slinger
      Performed by Howe Gelb

      Written by Howe Gelb

      Published by Scatter Land My Little Darlin' (BMI)

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Ingenious?Powered by Alexa
    • Soundtrack, when is the song "Contraption" by your composer Howe Gelb coming out?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 1, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Lightbulb
    • Filming locations
      • Tucson, Arizona, USA
    • Production companies
      • Arriba Films
      • Arriba Films
      • Arriba
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 25m(85 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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