Ingenious (2009 American film)

Ingenious (originally titled Lightbulb) is a 2009 American film. It is 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. It is based on the true story of some friends who are trying to come up with an invention, before hitting on an idea.

Cast

 * Dallas Roberts as Matt, an inventor
 * Jeremy Renner as Sam, Matt's lifelong friend and business partner
 * Ayelet Zurer as Gina, Matt's wife
 * Marguerite Moreau as Cinda
 * Amanda Anka as Louisa
 * Richard Kind as Newkin
 * Eddie Jemison as Bean
 * Judith Scott as Rita
 * Debby Rosenthal as Brenda
 * Michael Kagan as Mort
 * Rob Brownstein as Kent
 * Vince Grant as Randall
 * François Chau as Mr. Chow

Production
The film was shot on location in Tucson, Arizona and Hong Kong. It premiered at the 2009 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Reception
In 2012, when the film went on release after Renner's success in The Hurt Locker and other films, The Los Angeles Times reviewed it: "the storytelling is wildly uneven, with an off-balance structure that leaves the ending feeling abrupt and rushed. Whatever other Renner B-sides are floating around out there, let’s hope they feel a little more genius than Ingenious."