Genius (2016)

The story of Genius follows the story of American Southern writer Thomas Wolfe and his connections with New Yorker Maxwell Perkins, the publisher. Perkins had already previously published works by the great American writers Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story also follows the almost "romantic" affair between Wolfe and Perkins.

Set against the backdrop of New York City in 1929, this biographical saga traces the trials and triumphs in the life of Thomas Wolfe, an aspiring writer who develops a special bond with Maxwell Perkins, his editor.

Maxwell Perkins is well-established as Scribner's successful editor. He is also credited with discovering phenomenally talented authors such as Francis Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. He lives in a cottage just outside the city with his wife and five daughters.

One day, in his office, he reads the drafts of 'O Lost', a novel by Thomas Wolfe. Struck by the content, Perkins decides to publish it and begins to collaborate with the author. The novel is eventually published and proves to be a huge success: fifteen thousand copies sold in a single month.

Through years of working together Max and Thomas become best friends, while Wolfe's relationship with Aline Bernstein, a married woman twenty years older than he, is severely tested after the publication of Wolfe's novel. Max manages to publish Wolfe's second novel, 'Of Time and the River', after exhausting revision work that lasts for years. The second novel is also a success.

Meanwhile, Thomas is in Paris where he follows the events remotely, thanks to news received from Max. Back in New York, he immediately goes to work, writing his new book. His turbulent character leads him to quarrel with Max, destroying the relationship between the two and making Wolfe turn to another editor.

Also, Aline finally leaves Thomas, because he is too self-absorbed and unable to care for others. After Max has reconciled himself with Thomas's absence, a phone call comes from Thomas' mother: Thomas has contracted miliary tuberculosis. Despite surgery, Thomas shows no signs of improving. After a few weeks he dies, but before that he writes a letter to Max, reaffirming his immense affection for him.