If I Had Known I Was a Genius
Encyclopedia
If I Had Known I Was a Genius is a film directed by Dominique Wirtschafter and written by Markus Redmond
(who also stars in the film). The film premiered January 23, 2007 at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival
.
I.Q. His family refuses to encourage him and tries to bring him down, and his mother (Whoopi Goldberg) nicknames him "Ugly". Michael enrolls in a high school drama class and finds encouragement from an eccentric teacher.
Underestimated and completely misunderstood boy genius living with a dysfunctional family goes through a series of life challenges and finds it very difficult to fit in anywhere. He finds his true calling when his path collides with his drama teacher who notices his special gift and potential to become an exceptional actor. He attempts to realize his dream of becoming an actor but not without facing disbelief and contempt from both his family and friends.
Markus Redmond
Markus Redmond is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Raymond Alexander, in the comedy-drama series Doogie Howser, M.D. co-created by Steven Bochco. Redmond joined the cast at the start of the show's second season in 1990 until the series ended in 1993. He worked with Bochco again...
(who also stars in the film). The film premiered January 23, 2007 at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival
2007 Sundance Film Festival
The 2007 Sundance Film Festival ran from January 18 until January 28, 2007 in Park City, Utah with screenings in Salt Lake City, Utah and Ogden, Utah. It was the 23-rd iteration of the Sundance Film Festival...
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Plot
Michael (Markus Redmond) is an African-American boy with a geniusGenius
Genius is something or someone embodying exceptional intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of unprecedented insight....
I.Q. His family refuses to encourage him and tries to bring him down, and his mother (Whoopi Goldberg) nicknames him "Ugly". Michael enrolls in a high school drama class and finds encouragement from an eccentric teacher.
Underestimated and completely misunderstood boy genius living with a dysfunctional family goes through a series of life challenges and finds it very difficult to fit in anywhere. He finds his true calling when his path collides with his drama teacher who notices his special gift and potential to become an exceptional actor. He attempts to realize his dream of becoming an actor but not without facing disbelief and contempt from both his family and friends.
Cast
- Keith DavidKeith DavidKeith David Williams , better known as Keith David, is an American film, television, voice actor, and singer. He is perhaps most known for his live-action roles in such films as Crash, There's Something About Mary, Barbershop and Men at Work...
as Dad - David DenmanDavid DenmanDavid Denman is an American film and television actor.-Education:After graduating from Fountain Valley High School, Denman attended the summer training congress at American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco before receiving his B.F.A. from Juilliard.-Career:He made his film debut with Keanu...
as Baker - Whoopi GoldbergWhoopi GoldbergWhoopi Goldberg is an American comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, political activist, author and talk show host.Goldberg made her film debut in The Color Purple playing Celie, a mistreated black woman in the Deep South. She received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won...
as Mom - Julie HagertyJulie HagertyJulie Hagerty is an American actress and former model.-Early life:Hagerty was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Harriet Yuellig, a model and singer, and Jerry Hagerty, a musician. Her brother Michael Hagerty was also an actor. Her parents later divorced. Hagerty attended Indian Hill High...
as Teacher - Markus RedmondMarkus RedmondMarkus Redmond is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Raymond Alexander, in the comedy-drama series Doogie Howser, M.D. co-created by Steven Bochco. Redmond joined the cast at the start of the show's second season in 1990 until the series ended in 1993. He worked with Bochco again...
as Michael - Della ReeseDella ReeseDelloreese Patricia Early, known professionally as Della Reese , is an American actress, singer, game show panelist of the 1970s, one-time talk-show hostess and ordained minister. She started her career in the 1950s as a gospel, pop and jazz singer, scoring a hit with her 1959 single "Don't You...
as Nana - Tara ReidTara ReidTara Donna Reid is an American actress. Reid has acted on television shows such as Saved By The Bell: The New Class, Days of our Lives, California Dreams, and Scrubs....
as Stephanie - Andy RichterAndy RichterPaul Andrew "Andy" Richter is an American actor, writer, comedian, and late night talk show announcer. He is best known for his role as the sidekick of Conan O'Brien on each of the host's programs: Late Night and The Tonight Show on NBC, and Conan on TBS...
- French StewartFrench StewartMilton French Stewart , better known by his stage name French Stewart, is an American actor, best known for his role as Harry Solomon on the 1990s sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun.-Early life:...
as Principal - Sharon StoneSharon StoneSharon Vonne Stone is an American actress, film producer, and former fashion model. She achieved international recognition for her role in the erotic thriller Basic Instinct...
as Gloria Fremont - Debra WilsonDebra WilsonDebra Wilson Skelton , professionally known as Debra Wilson or Debra Wilzon, is an American comedienne and actress. Wilson is likely most famous for being the second longest-serving original cast member on the sketch comedy series MADtv, having appeared for the show's first eight seasons...
as Teresa