Father of Invention

Don't listen to the critics who pan this movie. Yes, it is predictable, and obvious. But the movie doesn't preach, condescend, take itself (too) seriously, or take its precious time going somewhere. This is actually better than I expected. No question about it, "Father of Invention" is great entertainment, and very effective. You don't have to be a "genius" to enjoy this movie. I could have done without the subplot regarding Heather Graham's lesbian character. I didn't feel it was necessary. It's just a plot device. And I would have loved to see John Stamos a lot more. With an interesting character as his, that one scene wasn't enough. Although he is mentioned near the end of the film. If you're looking for a quality movie to watch (and enjoy Kevin Spacey), this is that movie.

***1/2

I dont know whats wrong with the audience, this movie falls under comedy and drama genre and it is a good comedy movie! I was smiling all the way through the movie. Really enjoyed it.

I came across this on YouTube free streaming movies "with ads". But there were no ads.

I used to live and work in the New Orleans area and it is fun trying to recognize locations. Kevin Spacey is Robert Axle, inventor, but he likes to call himself a "fabricator" because he always gets his inspiration from things that already are available, usually two things, and he combines the ideas. He has become a Billionaire this way.

However quickly the movie cuts to 10 years later, Robert is getting out of prison after 8 years, seems his last product had a nasty habit of cutting off the fingers of the users. Still there should have been $$Millions left had it not been for his extravagant wife.

So most of the story is about his getting back on his feet and holding down a job, a condition of his parole. And also getting back into the good graces of his daughter, now 20-ish. There are a number of funny situations, plus some that fall flat.

It isn't a memorable movie but Spacey is good and I enjoyed it for what it is.

Even first rate actors like Kevin Spacey cannot save a film just on their name alone, they need a better script to work with. In this case Kevin Spacey plays a successful multi-millionaire inventor named Robert Axle who ends up serving a 10 year prison term for inventing and releasing prematurely an exercise machine that severs fingers from a number of purchasers. Robert Axle invested his whole life in marketing his inventions and no time what so ever with his little girl, played by Camilla Belle, or his ex wife Lorraine played by Virginia Madsen.

When Axle gets out of prison not only is his name poison with the large retail giants, but his ex wife has remarried to a Forest Ranger named Jerry King played by Craig Robinson, and they have slowly squandered a fortune of over 200 million dollars. Axle's only daughter Claire, played by Camilla Belle still suffers from latent child abandonment issues. So life has been cruel to Robert Axle these past 10 years in prison. He first befriends his daughters two roommates, who agree to give up their couch to Robert rather than have to watch him live in a men's shelter for too long.

In an effort to redeem himself and regain his Midas touch with a new invention, Axle goes to work at the fourth largest retail chain named Family World, whose immediate Assistant Store Manager is a guy named Troy Coangelo, played superbly by Johnny Knoxville. Axle and Troy don't see eye to eye on the store's priorities and as such Axle's career at Family World is short lived. Desperate to make amends with his daughter Claire, Axle does come up with a new invention but can't find an investor willing to risk financing a dead beat and felony ex convict like Axle.

Eventually he does find one investor and he also makes amends with his daughter. Yes, there are a few sentimental tear jerker scenes between father and daughter but not quite enough good film value for me to recommend Father Of Invention for your viewing pleasure.

As a result I rate the film a 5 out of 10. Viewer beware of a weak script with little decent content.

Not so good cast of actors, especially the female roles, it seriously disappoint because all its ideas are already used a lot previously. Despite all: it entertains quite well.