I.Q.

Starring: Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, Walter Matthau, Stephen Fry, Lou Jacobi, Joseph Maher, Gene Saks

Year: 1994

I had never seen this movie before. Had never even heard of it actually. But I haven’t found an earlier movie of Meg Ryan’s that I didn’t like, so I thought what the heck. And I was pleasantly surprised. The best way to describe this movie is “cute”.

Ed (Robbins) is a mechanic. Catherine (Ryan) is a mathematician. Ed, easy-going and romantic. Catherine, bookish and brainy. They couldn’t be more opposite.

Set in the 1950’s, Catherine and her fiancee James (Fry) are driving along when their vehicle begins to break down. Pulling into the nearest garage, Ed goes out to help them. The moment Ed sees Catherine, it’s love at first sight. For him. He feels an instant spark and believes she is the one he will marry. Catherine seems to feel something too, but ignores it. She is, after all, engaged to a brilliant professor. What more could she want? But Ed doesn't give up. He is determined to make her his.

Ed notices that Catherine left a watch behind at the garage and is thrilled to have an excuse to find her. But when he goes to her home, he doesn’t find her. Instead, he finds himself face to face with Albert Einstein (Matthau) - Catherine’s uncle. After explaining the real reason he is there, Albert instantly decides to become matchmaker and calls his old scientist cronies to help Ed get his girl. And once they meet Ed, they all agree that Ed is a far better catch and match for Catherine. And so the mischievous plotting begins.

Favourite Scenes: #1 When Ed returns the watch to Catherine, after he asks her out and she refuses. #2 When Ed is helped when writing an I.Q. test. #3 When Ed and Catherine are on Uncle Albert’s sailboat. With Uncle Albert. #4 The “wahoo” scene outside of Princeton. #5 Every time Tim Robbins smiles.

Fun Facts: #1 The close-ups of Ed’s hands when solving the wooden puzzles, are not his own, but rather the hands of enigmatologist (person who studies and writes mathematical puzzles - had to google it lol) John Chaneski. #2 This is the second movie Meg and Tim are in together. The first one was Top Gun (1986). # 3 Meg and Walter are also in another movie together. Hanging Up (2000). #4 Alan Arkin was almost cast as Albert Einstein. #5 Tim Robbins is 6’ 5”. #6. Meg Ryan is 33 years old in this movie. Tim is 36.

I.Q. is a classic romantic comedy. Maybe a bit quirky and predictable, but cute and charming too. Not heavy. Not super emotional. Not even remotely realistic. But it's light and easy to watch. With characters that make you smile. And sometimes, especially during these crazy times, that’s all we need.

Favourite Lines:

*Don’t let your brain interfere with your heart.

*I would rather be an optimist and a fool than a pessimist and right.

*I’m steering ze boat.....

*....come on! He loved it! He went Wahoo!

From one movie “buff” to another, get that popcorn popped, the lights dimmed and the movie rolling.