Genie Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dude finds a sassy genie and uses unlimited wishes to mildly inconvenience a lot of people while maybe learning a lesson about family… or does he?

🍿 Genie: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Workaholic’s Christmas Crisis

Bernard Bottle, a dedicated but overworked auction house employee, faces a Christmas crisis. He misses his daughter Eve’s birthday due to his demanding job, straining his relationship with his wife, Julie. This culminates in Julie taking Eve to her mother’s, leaving Bernard alone and on the verge of losing his family.

The Genie’s Arrival

Amidst his turmoil, Bernard discovers an antique jewelry box. Upon opening it, he unwittingly releases Flora, a genie who has been trapped for 2000 years. Flora grants Bernard unlimited wishes, presenting him with an opportunity to win back his family before Christmas.

Wishes and Their Consequences

Bernard uses his wishes, initially for material gains and attempts to impress his family. However, he soon realizes that extravagant gifts and superficial changes are not enough to mend the emotional rift. The film explores the humorous and sometimes chaotic consequences of his wishes as Flora, new to the modern world, navigates the complexities of contemporary life.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Flora (Melissa McCarthy): A 2,000-year-old genie who helps Bernard win back his family before Christmas.
• Bernard (Paapa Essiedu): A workaholic man who enlists the help of a genie to reconcile with his family.
• Julie (Denée Benton): Bernard’s wife, who leaves him due to his workaholic tendencies.
• Eve (Jordyn McIntosh): Bernard and Julie’s daughter, whose birthday is missed, triggering the family crisis.
• Flaxman (Alan Cumming): Bernard’s heartless and demanding boss who contributes to his family problems.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Flora: “I’ve been in a box for 2000 years!” – Exclaims her astonishment and excitement upon being released into the modern world.
• Bernard: “I just want my family back.” – Bernard’s primary motivation for using the genie’s wishes, highlighting his desire to reconcile with his wife and daughter.
• Flora: “What would Tom Cruise do?” – The genie’s mantra, inspired by watching Mission Impossible and applying Cruise’s determination to problem-solving.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $333,526

💥 Genie Reviews

Personal Review

As a sucker for feel-good movies, I went in hoping for some holiday magic. While it wasn’t a cinematic masterpiece, ‘Genie’ delivered some genuine laughs, mostly thanks to Melissa McCarthy’s performance. I found myself smiling and feeling warm inside, especially during the scenes where the family was together. Sure, it’s predictable, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need for a cozy night in.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Melissa McCarthy”
  • “Families looking for a lighthearted Christmas movie”
  • “Viewers who enjoy fantasy comedies”
  • “Those who appreciate feel-good holiday stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild profanity”
  • “Some scenes with characters in peril”
  • “Brief depiction of a character being fired”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “It’s certainly a wholesome Christmas cookie of a movie, so if that’s your thing by all means make it a holiday streaming snack. But it’s my wish that Melissa McCarthy would get the great comedy she deserves.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “To be fair, the film directed by Sam Boyd has its amusing moments, thanks to Curtis’ well-honed comic instincts. Essiedu nicely underplays as Bernard, going more for emotion than cheap laughs, and McCarthy is such a warm, engaging presence that you’ll search your home for any old-looking bottle that might contain a similarly helpful genie.

Audience Reactions

Melissa McCarthy is hilarious as the genie.: Viewers generally agree that the film is a light-hearted and fun holiday movie.

Overall Consensus: A light and fun holiday movie with heartwarming moments, though it might not be for those seeking deeper storytelling.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie is a remake of the 1991 British television film ‘Bernard and the Genie,’ also written by Richard Curtis.”
• “Alan Cumming, who plays Bernard’s boss in this film, starred as Bernard in the original 1991 TV movie.”
• “The film was shot in New York City, utilizing its iconic streets as backdrops for the story.”

🖥️ How to Watch Genie?

Genie is exclusively available for streaming on Peacock. As a Peacock original, it is not currently available for purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Genie, you might like these similar films:

• Bernard and the Genie (1991): The original TV movie that this film is a remake of, offering a more low-key and British take on the same premise.
• Elf (2003): A light-hearted holiday comedy about someone out of place who learns about the true meaning of family.
• Aladdin (1992): A classic animated film featuring a genie who grants wishes, with similar themes of wish fulfillment and personal growth.

🛒 Genie Related Products

• Funko Pop! Genie Melissa McCarthy: A Funko Pop! figure of Melissa McCarthy as Flora from Genie, a must-have for fans and collectors.
• Magic Lamp Decorative Genie Lamp: A vintage Aladdin’s magic lamp for decoration or collection. This is a great product for your bedroom table or living room and is made of high quality material.
• Genie [Blu-ray]: Blu-ray/DVD of the movie to relive the magic whenever you want.
• Tom Cruise Mission Impossible Movie Collection: Tom Cruise as seen by the Genie, a great way to experience the collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

Genie features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Presents for Christmas” – performed by Solomon Burke

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Genie HATED Aladdin in the Original Story?! 😱

Did you know the original Aladdin story was way darker? This video dives into some messed-up origins, and honestly, it’s wild to see how much Disney changed things! You won’t believe what they did with the Genie!

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