Tesla

Movie Trailer

Release Date
August 21, 2020

Genre
Biography, Drama

Cast & Crew

• Ethan Hawke as Nikola Tesla
• Eve Hewson as Anne Morgan
• Kyle MacLachlan as Thomas Edison
• Jim Gaffigan as George Westinghouse
• Donnie Keshawarz as J.P. Morgan
• Rebecca Dayan as Sarah Bernhardt

Director
Michael Almereyda

Other Movies Director is Known For

• Marjorie Prime (2017)
• Experimenter (2015)
• Hamlet (2000)

Producer

• Michael Almereyda
• Uri Singer
• Christa Campbell
• Lati Grobman
• Isen Robbins
• Aimee Schoof

Writer

• Michael Almereyda

Budget
Estimated $5 million

Production Company

• Passage Pictures
• Campbell Grobman Films
• Millennium Media

Running Time
102 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
PG-13

Content Advisory

• Mild language
• Some thematic elements
• Historical depictions

Movie Story
“Tesla” is a biographical drama that chronicles the life and work of the visionary inventor Nikola Tesla (Ethan Hawke). The film explores Tesla’s innovative contributions to electricity and his rivalry with fellow inventor Thomas Edison (Kyle MacLachlan) during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unlike traditional biopics, “Tesla” takes a unique and stylized approach to storytelling, blending historical facts with speculative elements and breaking the fourth wall to offer commentary on the events depicted.

The narrative follows Tesla’s journey from his early days in America, where he worked for Edison, to his later years as he struggled to gain recognition and funding for his inventions. The film delves into his complex relationships with key figures of the time, including industrialist George Westinghouse (Jim Gaffigan) and financier J.P. Morgan (Donnie Keshawarz), as well as his interactions with Anne Morgan (Eve Hewson), the daughter of J.P. Morgan, who serves as both a narrator and a character in Tesla’s life.

Tesla’s revolutionary ideas, including alternating current (AC) electricity and wireless energy transmission, are depicted with a mix of historical accuracy and imaginative interpretation. The film also touches on Tesla’s eccentricities, his visions of the future, and the personal and professional challenges he faced. The movie portrays Tesla as a brilliant but misunderstood figure, whose ideas were often ahead of his time and met with skepticism.

“Tesla” is notable for its unconventional narrative structure, including the use of modern elements, such as laptops and music, to draw parallels between Tesla’s time and the present day. The film’s innovative style reflects Tesla’s own forward-thinking nature, creating a biopic that is as much an exploration of his ideas as it is a portrayal of his life.

Special Effects
The special effects in “Tesla” are minimal and stylized, often used to enhance the film’s imaginative approach to storytelling rather than to create realistic depictions of Tesla’s inventions. The film employs creative visual techniques, such as projected backdrops and surreal sequences, to convey the futuristic and visionary aspects of Tesla’s work. These effects contribute to the film’s dreamlike and abstract tone, emphasizing the innovative and speculative nature of Tesla’s ideas.

Box Office Performance
“Tesla” had a limited theatrical release, followed by a wider release on digital platforms. The film received mixed reviews, with praise for Ethan Hawke’s performance and the film’s unique approach to the biopic genre, but some criticism for its unconventional narrative style, which may not appeal to all viewers. Despite its limited commercial success, “Tesla” attracted attention for its bold and inventive take on the life of one of history’s most fascinating figures.

Filming Locations

• New York, USA
• Upstate New York, USA

Notable Quotes

• “The future is mine.” – Nikola Tesla
• “What is the future, if not the continuation of what we started?” – Anne Morgan
• “They laugh at me because I am different. I laugh at them because they are all the same.” – Nikola Tesla

Behind-the-Scenes
“Tesla” was directed and written by Michael Almereyda, who sought to create a biopic that reflected the visionary and unconventional nature of its subject. Ethan Hawke, who had previously collaborated with Almereyda on the film Hamlet, took on the role of Nikola Tesla, bringing a nuanced and introspective portrayal to the character. The film’s production aimed to balance historical accuracy with creative storytelling, resulting in a biopic that challenges traditional genre conventions.

Awards

• Won the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival
• Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival

Final Verdict
“Tesla” is a visually inventive and intellectually stimulating biopic that offers a fresh and unconventional portrayal of one of history’s most intriguing figures. Ethan Hawke delivers a compelling performance as Nikola Tesla, capturing both the genius and the enigma of the inventor. While the film’s experimental style may not appeal to all viewers, it provides a unique and thought-provoking exploration of Tesla’s life and ideas. For those interested in historical dramas with a twist, “Tesla” is a fascinating and memorable watch.

IMDb Rating
5.1/10