| “ | A masterful portrayal of Hedy Lamarr's life, 'Frequency of Genius' combines the allure of Hollywood with the excitement of scientific discovery. Violet Summer's performance is nothing short of transformative | ” |
— The New York Times
| ||
Frequency of Genius: The Hedy Lamarr Story is a 2008 biopic starring Violet Summer.
Synopsis[]
Frequency of Genius is a compelling biopic that chronicles the extraordinary life of Hedy Lamarr. The film delves into the duality of Hedy's existence as a glamorous Hollywood star and a brilliant inventor whose pioneering work laid the groundwork for modern wireless communication. The film explores themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for acknowledgment in a male-dominated world.
Plot[]
Hedy Lamarr (Violet Summer, Dangerous Liaison), an extraordinary woman who was a Hollywood star and a groundbreaking inventor. Born in Austria, Hedy escapes a controlling marriage and the impending threat of Nazi Germany, fleeing to Hollywood where she quickly becomes one of the most glamorous actresses of the Golden Age of cinema. While the world sees her as a beautiful starlet, Hedy’s mind is constantly at work on scientific ideas.
Amidst her acting career, she teams up with composer George Antheil (name, recent role) to invent a frequency-hopping system designed to prevent torpedo jamming during World War II. This invention, though largely ignored at the time, lays the foundation for modern wireless communication technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Despite her scientific genius, Hedy battles with personal and professional challenges, including multiple marriages, motherhood, and the struggle for recognition of her technological contributions.
Cast[]
Main characters[]
- Violet Summer as Hedy Lamarr: Austrian-born actress and inventor.
- (name) as George Antheil: Composer and Hedy’s collaborator in inventing the frequency-hopping system
- (name) as Louis B. Maye: Co-founder of MGM, who discovers Hedy and brings her to Hollywood.
Supporting characters[]
- (name) as Fritz Mandl: Hedy's controlling husband.
- (name) as Robert Lamarr: Hedy’s supportive second husband
- (name) as Jean Harlow: A contemporary of Hedy’s in Hollywood
- (name) as Lise Meitner: A physicist and one of Hedy’s inspirations
- (name) as Howard Hughes: The famous aviator and film producer who admires Hedy’s inventive mind.
Reception[]
Critical[]
Frequency of Genius received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. The film's portrayal of Hedy Lamarr's life resonated deeply with viewers. The performances, direction, and storytelling were particularly praised. The film sparked renewed interest in Hedy Lamarr's legacy, leading to discussions about the intersection of entertainment and science, and the recognition of women in historically male-dominated fields.
Awards[]
- Best Actress (Violet Summer) - Academy Award
- Best Cinematography - Academy Award
- Best Original Screenplay - Academy Award
- Best Director (name) - Golden Globe
- Best Original Score (composer's name) - Golden Globe
- Best Supporting Actor/Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama (name) - Golden Globe
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Violet Summer) - Screen Actors Guild (SAG)
- Best Screenplay - Critic's Choice Award
- Best Costume Design - Critic's Choice Award
- Movie of the Year - American Film Institute (AFI) Awards
Trivia[]
- Violet Summer had to dye her hair multiple times to get the perfect shade of brunette that matched Hedy Lamarr's iconic look. She later joked that her hair had "gone through a war" to get the role right.
- The prop department created a functioning replica of Hedy Lamarr’s frequency-hopping device. Some cast and crew members jokingly tried to use it to boost their Wi-Fi signal during breaks.
- The film's wardrobe department meticulously recreated several of Hedy Lamarr’s most famous outfits, including the gown she wore to the 1941 Academy Awards. They scoured vintage shops and used period-accurate materials.
- During a scene with a cat, the feline decided to improvise and jumped onto a piano, creating an unexpected but charming moment that made it into the final cut.
- One of Hedy Lamarr's granddaughters made a brief cameo appearance in a party scene, playing a character admiring a painting of Lamarr.
- Throughout the film, the production team hid several Morse code messages in the background, paying homage to Hedy Lamarr’s frequency-hopping invention.